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Legends  and  Tales 

IN 

Prose  and  Verse 


Compiled  by 
Isabel  E.   Cohen 


Philadelphia 

The  Jewish  Publication  Society  of  America 

1905 


Copyright,  1905,  by 
The  Jewish  Publication  Society  of  America 


•  •     • 

•  •  •    • 


I •      • «     •     •' 


I   •   s  • 


S  ACKNOWLEDGMENT 


601 


- — .     The    Jewish     Publication     Society    of    America 
acknowledges  its  indebtedness  to  the  following  publish- 
Q^  ers  and  authors,  who  have  permitted  the  use  of  copy- 
-^  righted  matter : 

H      The  Century  Company,  New  York. — The  Birth  of 
-J  Man,  by  Emma  Lazarus,  from  "  The  Century  Maga- 
zine," June,  1884. 

o  Messrs.  Houghton,  Mifflin  &  Co.,  Boston.— A'm^ 
—  Solomon  and  the  Bees,  The  Four  Misfortunes,  and  The 
ao  Two  Friends,  by  John  Godfrey  Saxe;  also  King  Solo- 
— '   mon  and  the  Ants,  and  Rabbi  Ishmael,  by  John  Green- 

3    LEAF  WhITTIER. 

"^      Kegan  Paul,  Trench,  Trubner  &  Co.  Ltd.,  London. — 
Extracts  from  the  works  of  Richard  Chenevix  Trench. 

.       Pilot  Publishing  Company,  Boston. — The  Treasure 
•j:  of  Abram,  by  John  Boyle  O'Reilly. 

Messrs.  G.  P.  Putnam's  Sons,  New  York. — A  chapter 
t    from  The  Story  of  the  Jezvs,  by  James  K.  Hosmer. 
a. 
B       Religious  Tract   Society,   London. — The   Vision   of 

o"  Rabbi  Nathan,  by  Frederick  Langbridge,  from  "  Leisure 
_•    Hour,"  March,  1894. 

Messrs.  Charles  Scribner's  Sons,  New  York. — 
The  Death  of  Moses,  and  Through  Darkness,  by  Rich- 
ard Henry  Stoddard. 


CONTENTS 


TITLB  AUTHOR  PACK 

The  Birth  of  Man Emma    Lazarus ii 

The  Conformation  of  Man.     The  Hebrew   Review iS 

vTne  Trees  of  Paradise  .  .  .     The  Hebrew  Review i8 

The    Shepherd The  Hebrew  Review 21 

The  Death  of  Adam    ....     The  Hebrew  Review 25 

The  Entrance  into  the  Ark  .     Jean    Ingelow 28 

(From  A  Story  of  Doom) 

The  Ark  and  the  Dove  .  .  •     Lydia  H.    Sigourney 32 

The  Gift  of  the  King    ,  ,  .     S.    Baring-Gould 35 

(From    Legends    of   the   Patriarchs   and   Prophets) 

The  Infancy  of  Abraham  .  .     The  Hebrew  Review 42 

Abram   the    Idol-Breaker  .  .     Emma    Leigh 46 

The  Treasure  of  Abram  .  .     John  Boyle   O'Reilly 54 

Parable  against  Persecution     Benjamin  Franklin 61 

Hidud    of    Sodom H.   Polano 64 

(Adapted  from  Selections  from  the  Talmud) 

The  Power  of  Tears    ....     The  Hebrew   Review 72 

Moses    and    Jethro Richard  Chenevix  Trench  ...  74 

Moses  Visits  El  Khoudr  .  .     S.    Baring-Gould 79 

The  Death  of  Aaron  ....     S.    Baring-Gould 8s 

(From    Legends    of    the   Patriarchs   and   Prophets) 

The  Death  of  Moses  ....     The  Hebrew  Review 9' 


CONTENTS 


TITLE  AUTHOR  PAGE 

The  Death  of  Moses  ....     George    Eliot 95 

(From  Jubal  and   Other  Poems) 
The  Death  of  Moses  ....     Richard   Henry   Stoddard   .  .  .   103 

Gilboa     E.  H.  Plumptre 107 

(From    Master    and    Scholar) 

The   Dawn The  Hebrew  Review 119 

The  Royal  Singer The  Hebrew  Review 122 

Nothing  in  the  World  with- 
out its  Use II.   Polano 124 

(From  Selections  from  the  Talmud) 

David's  Search  for  his  Com- 
panion in  Paradise  ....     S.    Baring-Gould 127 

(From    Legends   of   the  Patriarchs  and  Prophets) 

How        Solomon       obtained 

Power     S.    Baring-Gould -  .   133 

(From    Legends    of    the   Patriarchs   and   Prophets) 
The  Vision  of  Solomon    .  .     William    Whitehead 139 

King      Solomon      and      the 

Bees     John    Godfrey    Saxe 14S 

King      Solomon      and      the 

Ants      John    Greenleaf   Whittier    ...   149 

Solomon    and    Azrael  ....     Richard  Chcnevix  Trench  ...   153 
(From  Eastern  Moralities) 

King   Solomon Owen  Meredith 155 

The   Lions Victor    Hugo 159 

The  History  of  the  Destruc- 
tion of  Bel  and  the  Drag- 
on           The   Apocrypha 167 

The     Story     of    Tobit    and 

Tobias The   Apocrypha    (Adapted)    .  .   174 


CONTENTS 


TITLE  AUTHOR                                               PAGE 

Let  us  Depart Felicia  Hemans 187 

The    Last    Day    of    Jerusa- 
lem         George     Croly     191 

Three    Sons Emma    Leigh 196 

Sabbation      Richard  Chenevix  Trench  ...   199 

.Alexander      the      Great      at 

Jerusalem James   K.   Hosmer 210 

(From   The  Story  of  the  Jews) 

Alexander   at    the   Gates  of 

Paradise Richard  Chenevix  Trench  ...  216 

The   Banished   Kings   ....  Richard  Chenevix  Trench  .  .  .  224 

The  Lent  Jewels Richard  Chenevix  Trench  ...  231 

The  Fox  and  the  Fish  .  .  .     Plyman    Ilurwitz 233 

(From  Hebrew   Tales) 

The  Sleep  of  Rabbi  Choni  .     Emma    Leigh 237 

Through   Darkness Richard   Henry    Stoddard   .  .  .  242 

The  Vision  of  Rabbi  Nathan     Frederick    Langbridge 244 

The  Emperor  and  the  Rabbi     George    Croly 248 

The  Four   Misfortunes  .  .  .     John    Godfrey    Saxe 252 

Rabbi  Ishmael John  Greenleaf  Whittier  ....  256 

The  Two  Friends John    Godfrey    Saxe 258 


Ube  JSirtb  of  /iDan 

A  Legend  of  the  Talmud 
By  Emma  Lazarus 

WHEN  angels  visit  earth,  the  messengers 
Of  God's  decree,  they  come  as  Hghtning, 
wind: 
Before  the  throne,  they  all  are  living  fire. 
There  stand  four  rows  of  angels — to  the  right 
The  hosts  of  Michael,  Gabriel's  to  the  left. 

Before,  the  troop  of  Ariel,  and  behind. 
The  ranks  of  Raphael ;  all,  with  one  accord, 
Chanting  the  glory  of  the  Everlasting. 
Upon  the  high  and  holy  throne  there  rests. 
Invisible,  the  majesty  of  God, 
About  His  brows  the  crown  of  mystery 
Whereon  the  sacred  letters  are  engraved 
Of  the  unutterable  Name.     He  grasps 
A  sceptre  of  keen  fire ;  the  universe 


LEGENDS  AND  TALES 


Is  compassed  in  His  glance ;  at  His  right  hand 
Life  stands,  and  at  His  left  hand  standeth  Death. 

LL 

Lo,  the  divine  idea  of  making  man 

Had  spread  abroad  among  the  heavenly  hosts ; 

And  all  at  once  before  the  immortal  throne 

Pressed  troops  of  angels  and  of  seraphim, 

With  minds  opposed,  and  contradicting  cries: 

"  Fulfil,  Great  Father,  Thine  exalted  thought ! 

Create  and  give  unto  the  earth  her  king !  " 

"  Cease,  cease.  Almighty  God !  create  no  more !  " 

And  suddenly  upon  the  heavenly  sphere 

Deep  silence  fell ;  before  the  immortal  throne 

The  angel  Mercy  knelt,  and  thus  he  spoke : 

"  Fulfil,  Great  Father,  Thine  exalted  thought ! 

Create  the  likeness  of  Thyself  on  earth. 

In  this  new  creature  I  will  breathe  the  spirit 

Of  a  divine  compassion ;  he  shall  be 

Thy  fairest  image  in  the  universe." 


THE  BIRTH  OF  MAN 


But  to  his  words  the  angel  Peace  replied, 
With  heavy  sobs :   "  My  spirit  was  outspread, 
O  God,  on  Thy  creation,  and  all  things 
Were  sweetly  bound  in  gracious  harmony. 
But  man,  this  strange  new  being,  everywhere 
Shall  bring  confusion,  trouble,  discord,  war." 
"Avenger  of  injustice  and  of  crime," 
Exclaimed  the  angel  Justice,  "  he  shall  be 
Subject  to  me,  and  peace  shall  bloom  again. 
Create,  O  -Lord,  create !  "  "  Father  of  truth," 
Implored   with   tears   the   angel  Truth,   "  Thou 

bring'st 
Upon  the  earth  the  father  of  all  lies !  " 
And  over  the  celestial  faces  gloomed 
A  cloud  of  grief,  and  stillness  deep  prevailed. 
Then  from  the  midst  of  that  abyss  of  light 
Whence  sprang  the  eternal  throne,  these  words 

rang  forth : 
"  Be  comforted,  my  daughter !    Thee  I  send 
To  be  companion  unto  man  on  earth." 


14  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 


And   all  the  angels  cried,  lamenting  loud : 

"  Thou  robbest  heaven  of  her  fairest  gem. 

Truth  !  seal  of  all  Thy  thoughts,  Almighty  God, 

The  richest  jewel  that  adorns  Thy  crown." 

From  the  abyss  of  glory  rang  the  voice  : 

"  From  heaven  to  earth,  from  earth  once  more  to 

heaven, 
Shall  Truth,  with  constant  interchange,  alight 
And  soar  again,  an  everlasting  link 
Between  the  world  and  sky." 

And  man  was  born. 


THE  CONFORMATION  OF  MAN  is 

Xlbe  Contormation  ot  /iDan 

Talmudic  Allegory 
(From  The  Hebrew  Review) 

THE  Creator  descended.  All  the  Angels,  the 
Princes  of  the  elements,  beheld  and  con- 
templated His  work. 

He  called  to  the  dust.  And  dust  gathered  itself 
from  all  the  quarters  of  the  terrestrial  globe.  And 
the  Angel  of  earth  said,  "  This  frame  will  be  a 
mortal  creature,  wheresoever  it  dwells  upon  earth : 
for  it  is  dust  and  must  return  unto  dust." 

He  called  to  the  heavenly  cloud ;  and  it  moist- 
ened the  dust.  The  clay  began  to  heave  and  shape 
itself  into  vessels  and  compartments.  And  the 
Angel  of  the  waters  exclaimed,  "  Thou  wilt  re- 
quire nourishment,  thou  curiously  constructed 
creature !  Hunger  and  thirst  will  become  insep- 
arable from  thy  being."    Inwardly  the  veins  and 


1 6  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

cells  began  to  be  formed ;  the  manifold  outward 
limbs  assumed  their  shape,  and  the  Angel  of  the 
living  said,  "Thou  wilt  be  subject  to  many  de- 
sires, beauteous  and  scientific  creation!  Love  of 
thy  species  will  attract  and  impel  thee! " 

The  Creator  approached  with  His  daughters, 
Wisdom  and  Love.  With  paternal  kindness  He 
raised  the  inanimate  clay  and  breathed  into  it  life 
and  immortality.  Man  stood  erect :  delighted,  he 
looked  around.  "  Behold !  "  said  the  voice  of  the 
Most  High,  "  all  the  growth  of  the  meadows  and 
trees,  all  the  animals  that  dwell  upon  earth,  I 
have  given  to  thee.  Thy  fatherland,  the  earth,  is 
thine,  and  thou  shalt  rule  it :  but  thou  thyself  art 
Mine ;  thy  breath  is  My  gift,  and  when  thy  time 
cometh,  I  summon  it  unto  Myself !  " 

Wisdom  and  Love,  the  offsprings  of  God, 
stayed  with  the  new  lord  of  the  earth.  They  in- 
structed him  and  taught  him  to  know  animate  and 
inanimate  nature.     They  conversed  with  him  as 


THE  CONFORMATION  OF  MAN  17 

loving  companions,  and  their  light  was  with  in- 
nocent man. 

•  •  •  •  • 

Man  lives  his  allotted  time  on  earth,  happy  if 
Wisdom  and  Love  deign  to  cheer  him  with  their 
influence.  But  when  his  allotted  time  expires,  his 
body  returns  to  mix  with  the  elements  whence  it 
was  taken :  but  the  spirit  returns  again  to  God, 
by  whose  paternal  embrace  it  was  breathed  into 
him. 


i8  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

XTTjc  XTrees  of  paraMse 

Talmudic  Allegory 
(From  The  Hebrew  Review) 

WHEN  the  Deity  led  man  into  his  paradise, 
all  the  trees  of  the  garden  of  Eden  saluted 
the  favored  of  the  Lord ;  with  waving  branches 
they  offered  him  their  fruits  for  his  food,  the 
fragrant  shade  of  their  boughs  for  his  refresh- 
ment. 

"  O  that  he  would  prefer  me ! "  said  the  palm 
tree.  "  I  will  feed  him  with  my  golden  dates,  and 
the  wine  of  my  juice  shall  be  his  beverage.  My 
leaves  should  form  his  tranquil  hut,  and  my 
branches  spread  their  shadows  above  him."  "  I 
will  shower  my  odoriferous  blossoms  upon  thee," 
exclaimed  the  apple-tree,  "  and  my  choicest  fruits 
shall  be  thy  nourishment." 

Thus  all  the  trees  of  paradise  greeted  their 


THE  TREES  OF  PARADISE  19 

new-created  lord ;  and  his  Supreme  Benefactor 
permitted  him  to  enjoy  their  rich  offerings.  Of 
all  He  gave  him  liberty  to  partake.  One  fruit 
only  he  was  forbidden  to  taste — that  which  grew 
on  the  tree  of  knozvledge. 

"A  tree  of  knowledge !  "  said  man  within  him- 
self. "All  other  trees  yield  me  but  terrestrial, 
corporeal  nourishment;  but  this  tree,  which 
would  elevate  my  spirit  and  strengthen  the  pow- 
ers of  my  mind,  this  tree  alone  I  am  forbidden  to 
enjoy."  Yet  he  silenced  the  voice  of  desire,  and 
suppressed  the  rebellious  thought  which  arose  in 
his  bosom.  But  when  the  voice  and  example  of 
temptation  assailed  him,  he  tasted  the  pernicious 
fruit,  the  juice  of  which  still  ferments  in  our 
hearts. 


"  Hard  is  the  prohibition  which  is  laid  upon 
man,"  said  the  angelic  spirits  of  heaven ;    "  for 


20  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 


what  can  be  more  tempting  to  a  being  who  is 
gifted  with  reason  than  the  acquisition  of  knowl- 
edge? And  shall  he,  who  soon  will  transgress 
the  command,  therefore  be  punished  with  death?" 
"  Wait  and  behold  his  punishment,"  replied  the 
dulcet  voice  of  celestial  love.  "  Even  on  the  path 
of  his  errors,  amidst  the  pangs  of  repentance  and 
the  stings  of  remorse, — even  there  will  I  be  his 
guide,  and  conduct  him  to  another  tree,  that 
grows  in  his  heavenly  home." 


THE  SHEPHERD  21 


XTbe  Sbepberb 

Talmudic  Allegory 
(From  The  Hcbrczv  Review) 

IN  the  silent  midnight  hour  preceding  the  ver- 
nal festival,  on  which  the  first  brothers  were  to 
bring  their  offering  of  gratitude  to  the  Creator, 
their  mother,  in  a  dream,  beheld  a  wondrous 
vision.  The  white  roses  which  her  younger  son 
had  planted  round  his  altar  had  changed  their 
hue :  they  were  become  more  blood-red,  more 
fully  blown,  than  any  she  had  ever  seen  ;  she  tried 
to  break  them,  but  they  withered  at  her  touch.  On 
the  altar  lay  a  bleeding  lamb.  Plaintive  voices 
rose  around  her,  and  amongst  them  a  shriek  of 
piercing  despair,  till  all  were  lost,  mingled  in  a 
heavenly  harmony,  the  like  of  which  she  had 
never  heard  before. 

And  a  beauteous  plain  lay  before  her,  more 
beauteous  even  than  the  paradise  of  her  youth. 


23  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

And  a  shepherd,  in  the  shape  and  image  of  her 
son,  arrayed  in  robes  of  blinding  white,  tended 
his  flocks.  The  red  roses  formed  a  garland  which 
entwined  his  brows,  and  in  his  hand  he  held  a 
lute,  from  which  went  forth  the  harmony  of 
heaven.  His  mild  eye  beamed  affectionately  on 
her;  but  when  she  approached  to  take  his  hand, 
he  vanished,  and  with  him  the  vision  of  her 
dreams. 

The  mother  of  our  race  arose  as  the  ruddy 
dawn  illumined  the  sky ;  with  a  heavy  heart  she 
went  to  the  festival. 

The  brothers  brought  their  sacrifice.  Their 
parents  departed.  Evening  came,  but  the  sons 
returned  not.  Their  anxious  mother  went  forth 
to  seek  them.  She  found  Abel's  flocks  scattered 
and  mournfully  lowing.  He  himself  lay  lifeless 
at  the  foot  of  the  altar.  His  blood  dyed  the  roses 
he  had  planted ;  and  Cain's  groans  of  anguish 
resounded  from  a  neighboring  cavern. 


THE  SHEPHERD  33 


Fainting  she  sank  on  the  corpse  of  her  son, 
when  again  she  beheld  the  nocturnal  vision  of  her 
dream.  Her  son  was  the  shepherd  whom  she  had 
seen  in  the  beauteous  fields  of  the  new  paradise. 
The  red  roses  were  twined  round  his  brows;  in 
his  hand  he  held  a  harp,  and  his  soft  accents  fell 
sweetly  on  her  ear  as  he  sung  to  her :  "  Look  up 
to  the  heavens,  to  the  stars.  Look  up,  all  weep- 
ing as  thou  art,  my  mother.  Behold  yon  splendid 
wain,  it  leads  to  fields  more  blooming,  to  a  para- 
dise more  beauteous,  than  thou  ever  sawest  in 
Eden's  garden,  where  the  blood-stained  rose  of 
suffering  innocence  blooms  in  celestial  splendor, 
and  its  sighs  are  turned  into  tunes  of  rapture." 

The  vision  vanished.  But  wath  a  strengthened 
mind  and  confident  resignation,  Eve  rose  from 
the  inanimate  body  of  her  son.  The  next  morning 
his  parents  bedewed  it  with  their  scalding  tears, 
crowned  it  with  the  roses  dyed  in  his  life-blood, 
and  buried  him  at  the  foot  of  the  altar  he  had 


24  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

raised  to  the  Lord,  in  the  presence  of  the  mild 
dawn  which  spread  its  orient  tints  over  the  sky. 

Often  they  sat  at  his  tomb  in  the  silent  hour  of 
midnight :  their  eyes  were  lifted  to  heaven  ;  there 
they  sought  their  beloved  shepherd ;  there  they 
hoped  to  be  reunited  to  him. 


THE  DEATH  OF  ADAM  2$ 

TLbc  Deatb  of  HC)am 

Talmudic  Allegory 
(From  The  Hebrew  Review) 

NIXE  hundred  and  thirty  years  had  passed 
from  the  moment  when  the  breath  of  the 
Creator  gave  life  to  the  clay,  when  Adam  felt 
within  himself  the  sentence  of  the  Judge,  "  Thou 
shalt  surely  die." 

"  Let  all  my  sons  appear  before  me,"  he  said  to 
the  weeping  Eve.  "  Let  them  all  come  that  I  may 
once  more  see  and  bless  them,"  His  descendants 
all  came  obedient  to  their  father's  command. 
Many  hundreds  in  number,  they  all  stood  around 
him  and  wept ;  all  prayed  for  his  life. 

"  Who  among  you,"  said  Adam,  ''  will  ascend 
the  holy  mount?  Perhaps  he  may  find  mercy  for 
me,  and  bring  me  the  fruit  of  the  tree  of  life." 
All  his  sons  arose;  each  was  willing  to  go:  but 


26  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

the  father  selected  Seth,  the  most  pious  among 
them,  to  be  the  messenger  of  hnploring  pity. 

His  head  strewed  with  ashes,  he  tarried  not,  but 
hastened  on,  till  he  reached  the  gates  of  paradise. 
"  Let  him  find  mercy,  All-Merciful,"  he  implored, 
"  and  send  my  father  the  fruit  of  the  tree  of  life." 

Suddenly  a  radiant  cherub  stood  before  him ;  in 
his  hand  he  held,  not  fruit,  but  a  branch  with  one 
solitary  leaf.  "  Convey  this  to  thy  father,"  he 
said,  with  a  friendly  voice ;  "  convey  it  to  cheer 
his  parting  hour,  for  eternal  life  dwells  not  on 
earth.    But  haste  thee,  for  his  hour  is  come." 

The  father  of  humankind  took  the  branch  and 
rejoiced ;  he  inhaled  the  odor  of  paradise,  and  his 
soul  became  invigorated.  "  My  children,"  he  said, 
"  everlasting  life  we  find  not  on  earth ;  you  all 
will  follow  me.  But  in  this  leaf  I  scent,  I  breathe 
the  air  of  another  world,  of  immortality."  His 
eye  closed  ;  his  spirit  fled. 

Adam's     children     buried  their     father,     and 


THE  DEATH  OF  ADAM  S7 

mourned  for  him  thirty  days.  But  Seth  wept 
not,  and  mourned  not.  He  planted  the  branch  at 
the  head  of  his  father's  tomb,  and  called  it  the 
branch  of  renovated  life,  of  awaking  from  the 
sleep  of  death. 


28  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

XTbc  lEntrance  into  tbe  Brft 

By  Jean  Ingelow 
(From  A  Story  of  Doom) 

AND  Noah  went  up  into  the  ship,  and  sat 
Before  the  Lord.    And  all  was  still ;  and  now 
In  that  great  quietness  the  sun  came  up, 
And  there  were  marks  across  it,  as  it  were 
The  shadow  of  a  Hand  upon  the  sun, — 
Three  fingers  dark  and  dread,  and  afterward 
There  rose  a  white  thick  mist,  that  peacefully 
Folded  the  fair  earth  in  her  funeral  shroud, — 
The  earth  that  gave  no  token,  save  that  now 
There  fell  a  little  trembling  under  foot. 
And  Noah  went  down,  and  took  and  hid  his  face 
Behind  his  mantle,  saying,   "  I  have  made 
Great  preparation,  and  it  may  be  yet, 
Beside  my  house,  whom  I  did  charge  to  come 
This  day  to  meet  me,  there  may  enter  in 


THE  ENTRANCE  INTO  THE  ARK  29 

Many  that  yesternight  thought  scorn  of  all 
My  bidding."    And  because  the  fog  was  thick, 
He  said,  "  Forbid  it.  Heaven,  if  such  there  be. 
That  they  should  miss  the  way."    And  even  then 
There  was  a  noise  of  weeping  and  lament ; 
The  words  of  them  that  were  affrighted,  yea, 
And  cried  for.  grief  of  heart.     There  came  to  him 
The  mother  and  her  children,  and  they  cried, 
"  Speak,  father,  what  is  this  ?     What  hast  thou 

done?" 
And  when  he  lifted  up  his  face,  he  saw 
Japhet,  his  well-beloved,  where  he  stood 
Apart ;  and  Amarant  leaned  upon  his  breast, 
And  hid  her  face,  for  she  was  sore  afraid ; 
And  lo!  the  robes  of  her  betrothal  gleamed 
White  in  the  deadly  gloom. 

And  at  his  feet 
The  wives  of  his  two  other  sons  did  kneel, 
And  wring  their  hands. 


30  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 


One  cried,  "  O  speak  to  us ; 
We  are  affrighted ;  we  have  dreamed  a  dream, 
Each  to  herself.    For  me,  I  saw  in  mine 
The  grave  old  angels,  like  to  shepherds,  walk. 
Much  cattle  following  them.  Thy  daughter  looked, 
And  they  did  enter  here." 

The  other  lay 
And  moaned,  "  Alas !  O  father,  for  my  dream 
Was  evil :  lo,  I  heard  when  it  was  dark, 
I  heard  two  wicked  ones  contend  for  me. 
One  said,  'And  wherefore  should  this  woman  live, 
When  only  for  her  children,  and  for  her. 
Is  woe  and  degradation  ?  '     Then  he  laughed, 
The  other  crying,  '  Let  alone,  O  Prince ; 
Hinder  her  not  to  live  and  bear  much  seed, 
Because  I  hate  her.'  " 

But  he  said,  "  Rise  up. 
Daughter  of  Noah,  for  I  have  learned  no  words 


THE  ENTRANCE  INTO  THE  ARK  31 

To  comfort  you."  Then  spake  her  lord  to  her, 
"  Peace !  or  I  swear  that  for  thy  dream  myself 
Will  hate  thee  also.  " 

And  Niloiya  said, 
"  ]\Iy  sons,  if  one  of  you  will  hear  my  words, 
Go  now,  look  out,  and  tell  me  of  the  day. 
How  fares  it  ?  " 

And  the  fateful  darkness  grew. 
But  Shem  went  up  to  do  his  mother's  will ; 
And  all  was  one  as  though  the  frighted  earth 
Quivered  and  fell  a-trembling ;  then  they  hid 
Their  faces  every  one,  till  he  returned, 
And  spake  not.     "  Nay,"  they  cried,  "  what  hast 

thou  seen  ? 
O,  is  it  come  to  this  ?"    He  answered  them, 
"  The  door  is  shut." 


32  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 


Ube  BrI?  an&  tbe  Bove 

By  Lydia  H.  Sigourney 

TELL  me  a  story — please/'  my  little  girl 
Lisped  from  her  cradle.    So  I  bent  me  down 
And  told  her  how  it  rained,  and  rained,  and  rained, 
Till  all  the  flowers  were  covered,  and  the  trees 
Hid  their  tall  heads,  and  where  the  houses  stood, 
And  people  dwelt,  a  fearful  deluge  rolled ; 
Because  the  world  was  wicked,  and  refused 
To  heed  the  words  of  God.    But  one  good  man, 
Who  long  had  warned  the  wicked  to  repent. 
Obey,  and  live,  taught  by  the  voice  of  Heaven, 
Had  built  an  Ark ;  and  thither,  with  his  wife 
And  children,  turned  for  safety.     Two  and  two, 
Of  beasts  and  birds,  and  creeping  things  he  took, 
With  food  for  all ;  and  when  the  tempest  roared, 
And  the  great  fountains  of  the  sky  poured  out 
A  ceaseless  flood,  till  all  beside  were  drowned. 
They  in  their  quiet  vessel  dwelt  secure. 


THE  ARK  AND  THE  DOVE  33 

And  SO  the  mighty  waters  bare  them  up, 
And  o'er  the  bosom  of  the  deep  they  sailed 
For  many  days.     But  then  a  gentle  dove 
'Scaped  from  the  casement  of  the  Ark,  and  spread 
Her  lonely  pinions  o'er  that  boundless  wave. 
All,  all  was  desolation.     Chirping  nest. 
Nor  face  of  man,  nor  living  thing  she  saw. 
For  all  the  people  of  the  earth  were  drowned. 
Because  of  disobedience.     Naught  she  spied 
Save  wide,  dark  waters,  and  a  frowning  sky, 
Nor  found  her  weary  foot  a  place  of  rest. 
So,  with  a  leaf  of  olive  in  her  mouth, 
Sole  fruit  of  her  drear  voyage,  which,  perchance, 
Upon  some  wrecking  billow  floated  by, 
With  drooping  wing  the  peaceful  Ark  she  sought. 
The  righteous  man  that  wandering  dove  received, 
And  to  her  mate  restored,  who,  with  sad  moans, 
Had  wondered  at  her  absence. 

Then  I  looked 
Upon  the  child,  to  see  if  her  young  thought 


34  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 


Wearied  with  following  mine.     But  her  blue  eye 
Was  a  glad  listener,  and  the  eager  breath 
Of  pleased  attention  curled  the  parted  lip. 
And  so  I  told  her  how  the  waters  dried, 
And  the  green  branches  waved,  and  the  sweet  buds 
Came  up  in  loveliness,  and  the  meek  dove 
Went  forth  to  build  her  nest,  while  thousand  birds 
Awoke  their  songs  of  praise,  and  the  tired  Ark 
Upon  the  breezy  breast  of  Ararat 
Reposed,  and  Noah,  with  glad  spirit,  reared 
An  altar  to  his  God. 


THE  GIFT  OF  THE  KING  35 

XTbe  (51ft  of  tbe  IRino 

By  S.  Baring-Gould 
(From  Legends  of  the  Patriarchs  and  Prophets) 

NIMROD  the  Cushite  sat  upon  a  throne 
Of  gold,  encrusted  with  a  sapphire  stone, 
And  round  the  monarch  stood,  in  triple  rank, 
Three  hundred  ruddy  pages,  like  a  bank 

Of  roses  all  a-blow. 
Two  gentle  boys,  with  blue  eyes  clear  as  glass. 
And  locks  as  light  as  tufted  cotton  grass, 

And  faces  as  the  snow 
That  lies  on  Ararat,  and  flushes  pink 
On  summer  evenings,  as  the  sun  doth  sink. 
Were  stationed  b\-  the  royal  golden  chair 
With  fillets  of  carnation  in  their  hair. 
And  clothed  in  silken  vesture,  candid,  clean. 
To  flutter  fans  of  burnished  blue  and  green, 


36  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

Fashioned  of  peacock's  plume. 
A  little  lower,  on  a  second  stage 
On  either  side,  was  placed  a  graceful  page, 

To  raise  a  fragrant  fume — 
With  costly  woods  and  gums  on  burning  coals 
That  glowed  on  tripods,  in  bright  silver  bowls  ; 
And  at  the  basement  of  the  marble  stair, 
Sweet  singing  choirs  and  harping  minstrels  were, 
In  amber  kirtles,  purple,  gilt,  and  sashed. 
The  throbbing  strings  in  silver  ripples  flashed, 

Where  slaves  the  choral  song 
Accompanied  with  psaltery  and  lyre. 
In  red  and  saffron,  like  to  men  of  fire. 

Whilst  hoarsely  boomed  the  gong : 
Or  silver  cymbals  clashed,  or,  waxing  shrill. 
Danced  up  the  scale  a  flute's  melodious  thrill. 

Now  at  the  monarch's  signal,  pages  twain. 
With  sunny  hair  as  ripened  autumn  grain, 
And  robed  in  lustrous  silver  tissue,  shot 
With  changing  hues  of  blue  forget-me-not. 


THE  GIFT  OF  THE  KING  37 

Start  nimbly  forth,  and  bend 
Before  the  monarch,  at  his  gilded  stool. 
And  crystal  goblets  brimming,  sweet  and  cool, 

Obsequiously  extend ; 
But  Nimrod,  slightly  stirring,  stately,  calm, 
Towards  the  right-hand  beaker  thrusts  his  arm, 
And  languid,  raises  it  towards  his  lips ; 
Yet  ere  he  of  the  ruby  liquor  sips, 
He  notices  upon  the  surface  lie — 
Fallen  in  and  fluttering — a  feeble  fly, 

With  draggled  wings  outspread. 
Then  shot  from  Nimrod's  eyes  an  angry  flare. 
And  passionately  down  the  marble  stair 

The  costly  draught  he  shed. 
He  spoke  no  word,  but  with  a  finger  wave 
Made  signal  to  a  scarlet-vested  slave ; 
And  as  the  lad  before  him,  quaking,  kneels, 
Above  him  swift  the  gleaming  falchion  wheels. 
Then  flashes  down,  and,  with  one  leap,  his  head 
Bounds  from  his  shoulders,  and  bespirts  with  red 


38  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 


The  alabaster  floor. 
And,  mingled  with  the  outpoured  Persian  wine, 
Descends  the  steps  a  sliding  purple  line 

Of  smoking,  dribbled  gore ; 
And  floats  the  little  midge  upon  a  flood 
Of  fragrant  grape-juice,  and  of  roseate  blood. 

Then  Nimrod  said :   "  I  would  yon  ugly  stain 
Were  wiped  away ;  and  thou,  my  chamberlain, 
Obtain  for  me  a  stripling,  to  replace 
This  petty  fool.     Let  him  have  com.ely  face, 

And  be  of  slender  mould  : 
Be  lithely  built,  of  noble  birth ;  a  youth. 
The  choicest  thou  canst  find.     His  cost,  in  sooth, 

I  heed  not.    Stint  no  gold. 
But  buy  a  goodly  slave  :  for  I,  a  king, 
Will  have  the  best,  the  best  of  everything — 
Of  gems,  of  slaves,  of  fabrics,  meats,  or  wine ; 
The  best,  the  very  best  on  earth  be  mine." 


THE  GIFT  OF  THE  KING  39 


Then,  prostrate  flung  before  his  master's  throne, 
The  servant  said,  "  Sire,  Terah  hath  a  son 
Whose  equal  in  the  whole  round  world  is  none, 

Beloved  as  himself. 
But,  Sire,  I  fear  the  father  will  not  deign 
To  yield  his  son  as  slave  through  love  of  gain, 

For  great  is  he  in  wealth." 
"  Go/'  said  the  monarch,  "  I  must  have  the  child : 
Be  sure  the  father  can  be  reconciled. 
If  you  expend  of  gold  a  goodly  store. 
And,  if  he  haggles  at  your  price,  bid  more ; 

I  will  it,  cliamberlain  ! 
I  care  not  what  the  cost.    I'll  have  the  lad !  " 
And  then  he  leaned  him  idly  back,  and  bade 

The  slaves  to  fan  again. 
Now  on  the  morrow,  to  the  royal  court, 
Terah  Ben-Nahor  from  old  Ur  was  brought — 
Protesting  loud  he  would  not  yield  his  son 
As  slave,  at  any  price,  to  any  one. 


40  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

"  My  flesh  and  blood  be  sold ! 
Fie  on  )'ou !     Do  you  reckon  that  I  prize 
My  first-begotten  as  mere  merchandise, 

To  barter  him  for  gold  ? 
A  curse  on  him  who  would  the  old  man's  stay, 
That  bears  him  up,  with  money  buy  away ! 
Require  me  not  to  offer  child  of  mine 
To  serve  and  brim  a  tyrant's  cup  with  wine ; 
To  waste  a  life  from  morning  to  its  grave, 
Branded  in  mind  and  soul  and  body  '  Slave ! ' 

How  could  I  be  repaid  ? 
His  artless  fondlings,  all  his  childish  ways : 
The  reminiscences  of  olden  days, 

That  sudden  flash  and  fade, 
Of  her  who  bore  him — her,  my  boyhood's  choice- 
Resemblances  in  feature,  figure,  voice, 
In  gesture,  manner,  ay,  in  very  tone 
Of  pealing  laugh,  of  that  dear  partner  gone. 
Thou,  Nimrod,  to  an  old  man  condescend 
To  hear  his  story ;  your  attention  lend. 


THE  GIFT  OF  THE  KING  41 

And  judge  if  acted  well. 
Last  year  to  me  thou  gav'st  a  goodly  steed, 
From  thine  own  stud,  of  purest  Yemen  breed: 

And  thus  it  me  befel : 
A  stranger  offered  me  a  price  so  fair 
That  I  accepted  it,  and  sold  the  mare." 
"My  gift  disposed  of!"  with  an  angry  start, 
King  Nimrod  thundered:   "  Thou,  old  man,  shalt 

smart 
For  this  thy  avarice.     A  royal  gift, 
Thou  knowest  well,  must  never  owners  shift, 

As  thing  of  little  worth." 
Then  Terah  raised  his  trembling  hands,  and  said, 
"  From  thine  own  mouth,  O  King,  has  judgment 
sped. 

The  Lord  of  heaven  and  earth. 
The  King  of  kings  to  me  my  offspring  gave, 
And  shall  I  sell  His  gift  to  be  a  slave? 
Nimrod,  that  child,  which  is  His  royal  gift, — 
Thv  mouth  hath  said  it, — mav  not  owners  shift." 


42  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

Xlbe  llnfanc^  ot  Hbrabam 

Talmudic  Allegory 
(From  The  Hebrew  Review) 

ABRAHAM  was  reared  in  a  cavern ;  for  the 
tyrant  Nimrod,  forewarned  by  his  astrol- 
ogers that  the  infant  son  of  Terah  would  teach 
mankind  to  renounce  the  service  of  the  imaginary 
divinities  which  Nimrod  worshipped,  sought  to 
take  his  life.  But  in  the  darksome  cavern  the 
light  of  God  illumined  his  youthful  mind  ;  he  re- 
flected, and  asked  himself,  "  Whence  am  I  ?  Who 
has  created  me  ?  " 

He  had  reached  the  age  of  sixteen  years  when 
he  left  his  dreary  abode,  and,  for  the  first  time, 
beheld  the  heavens  and  their  resplendent  orbs,  the 
earth  and  its  fulness.  How  astonished  was  he, 
and  how  rejoiced!     He  interrogated  all  creation 


THE  LyPANCY  OF  ABRAHAM  4.1 

around  him  :  "  Whence  are  ye  ?  Who  has  created 
you  ?  " 

The  sun  arose  in  its  glory.  Abraham  pros- 
trated himself.  "  This,"  he  exclaimed,  "  must  be 
the  Creator :  great  and  beauteous  is  its  appear- 
ance ;  its  radiance  dazzles  my  feeble  eye." 

The  sun  pursued  its  course,  and  set  at  even- 
tide, to  make  room  for  the  silvery  moon  :  and 
Abraham  said  to  himself,  "  The  luminary  which 
has  set  cannot  be  the  God  of  heaven :  it  yields  to 
yonder  lesser  light,  and  to  the  host  of  stars  by 
which  it  is  attended." 

But  clouds  overspread  the  sky ;  the  moon  and 
the  stars  were  hidden  from  his  sight ;  and  Abra- 
ham stood  alone  in  the  midst  of  his  meditations. 

He  went  to  his  father,  and  asked : 

"  Who  is  God,  the  Creator  of  heaven  and 
earth?"  Terah  showed  him  his  idols.  "  I  will 
put  their  divinity  to  the  test,"  said  Abraham  to 
himself :    and,  when  he  was  alone,  he  presented 


44  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

them  with  the  choicest  viands,  addressed  them, 
and  said,  ''  If  ye  are  Hving  gods,  accept  my  offer- 
ing that  I  may  worship  you."  But  unmovable 
stood  the  idols ;  no  ear  had  they  for  his  invoca- 
tions. 

"  And  these,"  exclaimed  the  youth,  "  my  father 
considers  as  gods !  But  perhaps  I  may  show  him 
he  is  in  error."  He  took  a  staff  and  shivered  the 
idols  into  fragments,  except  one  only,  within 
whose  bended  arm  he  placed  his  staff.  He  then 
hurried  to  his  father,  and  said,  "  Father,  thy  great 
god  has  slain  his  lesser  brethren." 

But  Terah  looked  at  him  in  anger,  and  said, 
"  Mock  me  not,  boy !  How  can  he  do  what  thou 
hast  said,  since  mine  own  hands  have  fashioned 
him  who  is  inanimate?"  And  Abraham  replied: 
"Be  not  angry,  O  my  father,  but  let  .thine  ear 
hear,  and  thy  reason  weigh,  what  thine  own 
mouth  has  uttered.  If  thou  deemest  him  incapable 
of  a  feat  which  my  boyish  hand  was  capable  of 


THE  IXF.lXCy  OF  ABRAHAM  45 

performing,  how  can  he  be  the  god  whose  power 
created  thee  and  me,  and  the  heaven  and  earth  ?  " 
And  Terah  stood  silent  before  the  reproof  of  his 
son. 


46  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 


Hbram  tbe  1[&oUJSreal?er 

A  Talmudic  Legend 
By  Emma  Leigh 

ABRAM  stood  musing  in  the  midst  of  the  de- 
serted room.  Everywhere  he  turned  his 
gaze  was  met  by  a  fixed,  wooden  stare.  A  smile 
of  scorn  played  about  his  lips  as  he  recalled  the 
charge  of  Terah  his  father :  "  I  will  be  gone  but 
a  short  while.  Do  thou  see  to  it  that  no  harm 
comes  to  these  our  gods."  Gods?  These  ugly 
images,  the  handiwork  of  Terah  and  his  slaves, 
of  which  he  strangely  stood  in  awe? 

Suddenly  Abram  became  conscious  that  he  was 
not  alone.  An  old  man  had  entered  during  his 
revery,  and  was  standing  before  one  of  the 
images.  Seeing  that  the  boy's  attention  had  been 
attracted,  the  man  asked  the  price  of  the  idol 
which  had  taken  his  fancy.     Abram  told  him,  and 


ABRAM  THE  IDOL-BREAKER  47 

then  said :  "  Be  not  angry  if  I  ask  thee  the  number 
of  thy  years." 

"  Three-score,"  was  the  proud  reply. 

"  Three-score  years  hast  thou  Hved,  and  yet 
thou  payest  reverence  to  this,  the  work  of  man's 
hands,  and  dost  worship  as  thy  lord  the  creation 
of  a  day?" 

Shamefaced  the  old  man  turned  away  from  the 
reproach  of  the  boyish  eyes. 

As  he  left  the  place  without  his  intended  pur- 
chase, there  entered  a  woman.  In  her  hands  was 
food,  a  prayer  offering  to  the  gods.  With 
Abram's  consent,  she  placed  it  at  the  feet  of  the 
image  of  Nebo,  her  favorite  deity. 

As  she  turned  to  go.  Abram  withheld  her. 

"  Tarry  but  a  little,  so  that  thou  mayest  see 
how  eagerly  thy  god  eats  thy  offering  when  his 
hunger  is  aroused." 

It  was  a  bewildered  glance  that  fell  on  Abram 
as  she  hastily  left  the  place. 


48  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 


The  youth  laughed  aloud.  A  moment  more 
and  he  seized  a  hammer  and  broke  in  pieces  all 
the  images  save  one,  that  of  Bel,  the  largest.  In 
its  hands  he  placed  the  hammer  and  waited  his 
father's  return. 

No  sooner  had  Terah  beheld  the  ruin  than  he 
called  his  son. 

"What  work  is  this?"  he  demanded  angrily. 
"  What  impious  wretch  has  dared  to  do  evil  to 
the  holy  gods?  " 

"  Father,"  Abram  made  answer,  "  in  thy  ab- 
sence there  came  a  woman  with  tasty  food  which 
she  placed  before  one  of  the  lesser  gods.  When 
he  stretched  forth  his  hand  to  partake  thereof,  the 
others,  in  their  greed  and  envy,  demanded  a  por- 
tion, which  he  arrogantly  refused,  bidding  them 
wait  for  the  offerings  of  their  own  worshippers. 
Then  they  strove  to  take  it  from  him  by  force, 
and  there  was  a  mighty  uproar,  till  the  big  god 
bade  them  cease  their  wrangling,  terming  it  a 


ABRAM  THE  IDOL-BREAKER  49 

fashion  unseemly  for  the  rulers  of  the  world. 
But  they  heeded  not  his  voice,  whereupon  in  his 
wrath  the  mighty  god  did  lay  violent  hands  upon 
these  others  and  destroy  them  even  as  thou  seest." 

"  Dost  mock  thy  father  ?  "  demanded  the  wrath- 
ful Terah.  "  Surely,  this  figure  of  wood  that  my 
slaves  have  made  can  stir  neither  hand  nor  foot." 

"  Yet,"  said  his  son,  "  thou  dost  bend  thy  knee 
before  it,  and  dost  call  upon  it  to  help  thee,  and 
wouldst  have  me  likewise  worship  it." 

"  Ay,  that  I  will,"  said  his  father.  "  I  see  now 
it  is  thy  profane  hand  that  hath  wrought  this 
havoc.  Down  on  thy  face  before  might}-  Bel, 
and  pray  pardon  for  thy  sin." 

"  Nay,  father,"  said  the  boy,  "  I  would  not  fail 
in  honor  to  my  parent,  and  in  naught  else  will  I 
refuse  to  heed  thy  command,  but  this  will  my 
soul  not  let  me  do." 

"  Then  will  I  take  thee  before  Nimrod,  who 
has  means  to  induce  obedience." 


50  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 


So  Abram  was  led  before  the  king.  After  hear- 
ing the  story  of  the  irate  Terah,  and  Abram's  re- 
fusal to  worship  images  that  could  be  made  and 
broken  by  the  hands  of  men,  Nimrod  said,  "  Yet 
must  there  be  none  in  my  dominion  that  re- 
fuses all  worship  to  the  gods.  If  images  please 
thee  not,  worship  the  mighty  Powers — adore  the 
Fire." 

"  May  the  great  king  live  forever,"  answered 
Abram,  "  and  pardon  thy  servant  if  he  speak  too 
boldly ;  but  if  we  seek  the  mightiest,  were  it  not 
better  to  pray  to  that  which  is  stronger  than  fire — 
the  water  which  quenches  it?  " 

"  If  it  please  thee  better,  worship  Water." 

"  Pardon,  my  lord  king,  but  it  has  come  upon 
me  that  the  cloud  carries  the  water  and  is  there- 
fore more  powerful." 

"  Then  if  that  seem  good  to  thee,  worship  the 
Cloud." 

"  Nay,  my  lord,  grant  thy  servant  yet  another 


ABRAM  THE  IDOL-BREAKER  51 

word,  for,  behold,  there  is  a  force  that  is  greater 
even  than  the  cloud — the  wind  that  drives  the 
cloud  before  its  fury." 

"  Then  worship  the  Wind,"  said  Nimrod,  impa- 
tiently. 

"  May  the  king  in  his  great  goodness  grant  me 
to  speak  but  once  more,"  said  the  boy,  "  and  I 
have  done.  Fire  I  cannot  worship.  To  water 
can  I  not  pray.  Neither  to  the  cloud  nor  yet  to 
the  wind  will  I  bow  down.  There  is  a  Power 
mightier  than  all  they.  To  Him  alone  will  I  bend 
the  knee — El  Shaddai,  the  One  Almighty  God, 
Creator  of  heaven  and  earth,  who  gave  life  to  thee 
and  me." 

"Where  does  thy  god  hide  himself?"  asked 
the  king.  "  Never  have  I  beheld  him.  Point 
him  out  to  us  that  we  may  see  his  power.  May- 
hap thou  canst  gain  him  worshippers." 

"  Eye  cannot  see  His  glory.  Tongue  cannot  tell 
His  niigl;t.     Yet  lift  up  thine  eyes  round  about 


S2  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 


and  behold  the  earth,  the  heavens  above,  the  water 
below,  and  all  therein.  At  His  word  came  all 
these." 

Loud  laughed  the  king  and  those  that  served 
him.  "What  madness  is  this?  Can  a  god  lurk- 
ing where  no  human  eye  can  find  his  abode  have 
made  the  gods  that  rule  the  world,  the  sun 
whose  arrows  strike  terror  by  day,  the  moon  and 
the  stars  that  hold  sway  over  the  fate  of  men, 
the  hungry  fire,  the  destroyer  of  all  life?  Can 
he  have  formed  men,  both  rulers  and  slaves? 
Nay,  the  boy  mocks  us." 

"  Yea,  and  the  blessed  gods,"  cried  one  of  the 
councillors. 

"  Blasphemer,  mocker,"  shouted  the  court. 

Then,  in  a  smooth  voice,  which  ill  concealed  his 
wrath,  the  king  said,  "  Dost  thou  still  defy  the 
Fire?" 

"  Never  will  I  prostrate  myself  to  another  save 
El  Shaddai,"  again  said  the  boy. 


ABRAM  THE  IDOL-BREAKER  53 

"  Then  if  thou  wilt  not  entreat  the  Fire's  favor, 
thou  shalt  feel  the  Fire's  wrath."  said  Nimrod. 

At  a  signal  powerful  slaves  seized  Abram,  and 
cast  him  into  the  sacrificial  furnace. 

All  stood  with  bated  breath,  listening  for  the 
victim's  cries  of  anguish,  his  call  for  mercy.  No 
sound  was  heard  save  the  roaring  of  the  flames. 

"Approach  the  furnace  and  see  if  the  blas- 
phemer be  consumed,"  ordered  the  king. 

The  servants  obeyed  and  saw  Abram  standing 
in  the  midst  of  the  flames,  alive  and  unharmed, 
with  calm  countenance. 

At  the  command  of  the  astonished  king  he 
came  forth.  Not  a  hair  of  his  head,  not  a  thread 
of  his  garments,  was  singed. 

Then  Nimrod  and  his  officers  acknowledged 
that  the  God  who  protected  Abram  was  mightier 
than  the  gods  of  Chaldea. 

Hence,  say  the  sages,  is  it  written  that  Abram 
"  came  forth  from  Ur — the  furnace — of  the 
Chaldees." 


54  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

Ube  XTreasure  oX  Hbram 

By  John  Boyle  O'Reilly 

I. 

IN  the  old  Rabbinical  stories, 
So  old  they  might  well  be  true, — 
The  sacred  tales  of  the  Talmud, 

That  David  and  Solomon  knew, — 
There  is  one  of  Father  Abram, 

The  greatest  of  Heber's  race. 
The  mustard-seed  of  Judea 

That  filled  the  holy  place. 
'Tis  said  that  the  fiery  heaven 

His  eye  was  first  to  read, 
Till  planets  were  gods  no  longer. 

But  helps  for  the  human  need  ; 
He  taught  his  simple  people 

The  scope  of  eternal  law 
That  swayed  at  once  the  fleecy  cloud 

And  the  circling  suns  they  saw. 


THE  TREASURE  OF  ABRAM  55 

But  the  rude  Chaldean  peasants 

Uprose  against  the  seer, 
And  drave  him  forth — else  never  came 

This  Talmud  legend  here. 
With  Sarah  his  wife,  and  his  servants, 

Whom  he  ruled  with  potent  hand. 
The  Patriarch  planted  his  vineyards 

In  the  Canaanitish  land ; 
With  his  wife — the  sterile,  but  lovely, 

The  fame  of  whose  beauty  grew 
Till  there  was  no  land  in  Asia 

But  tales  of  the  treasure  knew. 
In  his  lore  the  sage  lived — learning 

High  thoughts  from  the  starlit  skies ; 
But  heedful,  too,  of  the  light  at  home. 

And  the  danger  of  wistful  eyes  ; 
Till  the  famine  fell  on  his  corn-fields. 

And  sent  him  forth  again. 
To  seek  for  a  home  in  Egypt, 

The  land  of  the  amorous  men. 


S6  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

II. 

Long  and  rich  is  the  caravan  that  halts  at  Egypt's 

gate, 
While  duty  full  the  stranger  pays  on  lowing  herd 

and  freight. 
Full   keen  the  scrutiny  of  those  who  note  the 

heavy  dues ; 
From  weanling  foal  to  cumbrous  wain,  no  chance 

of  gain  they  lose. 
But  fair  the  search — no  wealth  concealed ;  while 

rich  the  gifts  they  take 
From  Abram's  hand,  till  care  has  ceased,  and  for- 
mal quest  they  make. 
They    pass    the    droves    and    laden    teams,    the 

weighted  slaves  are  past. 
And  Abram  doubles  still  the  gifts ;  one  wain,  his 

own,  is  last — 
It  goes  unsearched !    Wise  Abram  smiles,  though 

dearly  stemmed  the  quest ; 


THE  TREASURE  OF  ABRAM  57 

But  haps  will  conic  from  causes  slight, 

And  hidden  things  upspring  to  light : 

A  breeze  flings  wide  the  canvas  fold,  and,  deep 

within  the  wain,  behold 
A  brass-bound  massive  chest ! 

"  Press  on !  "  shouts  Abram.     "  Hold,"  they  cry  ; 

"  what  treasure  hide  ye  here?  " 
The  word  is  stern — the  answer  brief :  "  Treasure  ! 

'tis  household  gear ; 
Plain  linen  cloth  and  flaxen  thread.''    The  scribes 

deceived  are  wroth ; 
"  Then  weigh  the  chest — its  price  shall  be  the  dues 

on  linen  cloth  !  " 
The  face  of  Abram  seemed  to  grieve,  though  joy 

was  in  his  breast. 
As  carefully  his  servants  took  and  weighed  the 

mighty  chest. 
But  one  hath  watched  the  secret  smile ;   he  cries, 

"  This  stranger  old 


58  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 


Hath  used  deceit ;  no  cloth  is  here — this  chest  is 
filled  with  gold !  " 

"  Nay,  nay,"  wise  Abram  says,  and  smiles,  though 
now  he  hides  dismay  ; 

"  But  time  is  gold :  let  pass  the  chest — on  gold  the 
dues  I  pay !  " 

But  he  who  reads  the  subtle  smile  detects  the 
secret  fear : 

"  Detain  the  chest !  nor  cloth  nor  gold,  but  pre- 
cious silk  is  here !  " 

Grave  Father  Abram  stands  like  one  who  knoweth 

well  the  sword 
When  tyros  baffle  thrust  and  guard ;  slow  comes 

the  heedful  word : 
"  I  seek  no  lawless  gain — behold !  my  trains  are 

on  their  way, 
Else  would  these  bands  my  servants  break,  and 

show  the  simple  goods  I  take. 
That  silk  ye  call ;  but,  for  time's  sake,  on  silk  the 

dues  I  pay !  " 


THE  TREASURE  OF  ABRAM  S9 

"  He  pays  too  much  !  "  the  watcher  cries  ;   "  this 

man  is  full  of  guile  ; 
From  cloth  to  gold  and  gold  to  silk,  to  save  a 

paltry  mile ! 
This  graybeard  pay  full  silken  dues  on  cloth  for 

slave-bred  girls ! 
Some  prize  is  here — he  shall  not  pass  until  he  pay 

for  pearls !  " 
Stern  Abram  turned  a  lurid  eye,  as  he  the  man 

would  sJay ; 
An  instant,  rose  the  self-command ;  but  thin  the 

lip  and  quick  the  hand. 
As  one  who  makes  a  last  demand :    "  On  pearls 

the  dues  I  pay !  " 
"  He  cannot  pass !  "  the  watcher  screamed,  as  to 

the  chest  he  clung ; 
"  He  shall  not  pass !     Some  priceless  thing  he 

hideth  here.    Quick — workmen  bring ! 
I  seize  this  treasure  for  the  king !  " 
Old  Abram  stood  aghast;  it  seemed  the  knell  of 

doom  had  rung. 


6o  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

III. 

Red-eyed  with  greed  and  wonder, 

The  crowd  excited  stand  ; 
The  blows  are  rained  like  thunder 

On  brazen  bolt  and  band  ; 
They  burst  the  massive  hinges, 

They  raise  the  ponderous  lid, 
And  lo !   the  peerless  treasure 

That  Father  Abram  hid  : 

In  pearls  and  silk  and  jewels  rare, 
Fit  for  a  Pharaoh's  strife  ; 

In  flashing  eyes  and  golden  hair — 
Sat  Abram's  lovely  wife ! 


PARABLE  AGAI\'ST  PERSECUTIOX  6i 

parable  Boaiust  persecution 

By  Benjamin  Franklin 

AND  it  came  to  pass  after  these  things  that 
Abraham  sat  in  the  door  of  his  tent,  about 
the  going  down  of  the  sun. 

2.  And,  behold,  a  man  bent  with  age  coming 
from  the  way  of  the  wilderness,  leaning  on  a 
staff. 

3.  And  Abraham  arose,  and  met  him,  and  said 
unto  him,  Turn  in,  I  pray  thee,  and  wash  thy  feet, 
and  tarry  all  night :  and  thou  shalt  arise  early  in 
the  morning,  and  go  on  thy  way. 

4.  And  the  man  said,  Nay ;  for  I  will  abide 
under  this  tree. 

5.  But  Abraham  pressed  him  greatly :  so  he 
turned,  and  they  went  into  the  tent :  And  Abra- 
ham baked  unleavened  bread,  and  they  did  eat. 

6.  And    when    Abraham    saw    that    the    man 


62  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

blessed  not  God,  he  said  unto  him,  Wherefore  dost 
thou  not  worship  the  Most  High  God,  Creator  of 
heaven  and  earth  ? 

7.  And  the  man  answered  and  said,  I  do  not 
worship  thy  God,  neither  do  I  call  upon  his 
name,  for  I  have  made  to  myself  a  god,  which 
abideth  always  in  my  house,  and  provideth  me 
with  all  things. 

8.  And  Abraham's  zeal  was  kindled  against  the 
man,  and  he  arose,  and  fell  upon  him,  and  drove 
him  forth  with  blows  into  the  wilderness. 

9.  And  God  called  unto  Abraham,  saying, 
Abraham,  where  is  the  stranger  ? 

10.  And  Abraham  answered  and  said,  Lord,  he 
would  not  worship  thee,  neither  would  he  call 
upon  thy  name,  therefore  have  I  driven  him  out 
from  before  my  face,  into  the  wilderness. 

11.  And  God  said.  Have  I  borne  with  him  these 
hundred  and  ninety  and  eight  years,  and  nour- 
ished him,  and  clothed  him,  notwithstanding  his 


PARABLE  AGAINST  PERSECUTION  63 

rebellion  against  me,  and  couldst  not  thou,  who 
art  thyself  a  sinner,  bear  with  him  one  night? 

12.  And  Abraham  said,  Let  not  the  anger  of  my 
Lord  wax  hot  against  his  servant;  lo,  I  have 
sinned,  forgive  me,  I  pray  thee. 

13.  And  Abraham  arose,  and  went  forth  into 
the  wilderness  and  diligently  sought  for  the  man 
and  found  him,  and  returned  with  him  to  the 
tent,  and  when  he  had  entreated  him  kindly,  he 
sent  him  away  on  the  morrow  with  gifts. 

14.  And  God  spake  again  unto  Abraham  say- 
ing. For  this  thy  sin  shall  thy  seed  be  afflicted 
four  hundred  years  in  a  strange  land. 

15.  But  for  thy  repentance  will  I  deliver  them, 
and  they  shall  come  forth  with  power,  and  with 
gladness  of  heart,  and  with  much  substance. 


64  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 


IbiOu^  ot  So^om 

By  H.  Poland 
(Adapted  from  Selections  from  the  Tahnud) 

IN  olden  days  Sodom  and  four  neighboring  cities 
of  the  Plain  about  the  Salt  Sea  were  inhab- 
ited by  men  of  evil  deeds,  who  provoked  the 
wrath  of  the  Most  High.  They  planted  in  the 
valley  a  beautiful  garden  many  miles  in  extent,  a 
place  adorned  with  fruits  and  flowers,  and  objects 
pleasing  to  the  sight  and  intoxicating  to  the 
senses.  There  four  times  a  year  they  held  idola- 
trous feasts  with  music  and  wild  dancing  and 
drunken  excesses. 

In  their  daily  life  they  were  both  cruel  and 
treacherous.  They  vexed  the  stranger,  and  took 
advantage  of  all  who  had  dealings  with  them. 
When  a  trader  who  knew  not  their  ways  entered 
their  city,  they  would  seize  his  goods  either  with 
violence  or  through  trickery,  and  if  he  complained, 


HI  DUD    OF   SODOM  65 

they  but  mocked  him  and  drove  him  from  the 
place. 

It  happened  once  that  a  merchant  of  Elam, 
journeying  to  a  place  beyond  Sodom,  reached  the 
latter  city  as  the  sun  was  setting.  The  saddle  of 
his  ass  was  richly  ornamented,  and  precious  mer- 
chandise was  bound  upon  it.  Unable  to  find 
lodging  for  himself  and  stabling  for  the  animal, 
he  resolved  to  pass  the  night  in  the  streets  of 
Sodom  and  continue  his  journey  in  the  morning. 
A  man  of  Sodom,  named  Hidud,  chanced  to  ob- 
serve this  merchant,  and  even  in  the  twilight  his 
keen  and  covetous  eye  took  notice  of  the  valuable 
burden  of  the  ass.  Being  as  cunning  as  he  was 
treacherous,  he  accosted  the  stranger,  saying: 

"  Whence  comest  thou,  and  whither  art  thou 
travelling?  " 

"  I  am  journeying  from  Hebron,"  replied  the 
stranger ;  **  my  destination  is  beyond  this  place  ; 
but,  lo,  the  sun  has  set ;  I  can  obtain  no  lodging, 


66  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

and  so  I  remain  here  in  the  streets.  I  have  bread 
and  water  for  myself  and  straw  and  provender  for 
my  beast,  so  I  need  trouble  no  one." 

"  Nay,  this  is  wrong,"  returned  Hidud.  "  Come, 
pass  the  night  with  me,  thy  lodging  shall  cost  thee 
naught,  and  I  will  attend  also  to  the  wants  of  thy 
animal." 

Hidud  led  the  stranger  to  his  house.  The  val- 
uable saddle  and  the  merchandise  which  was  at- 
tached to  it  he  removed  from  the  ass,  and  placed 
his  treasure  in  a  chest.  Then  he  gave  the  ass 
provender,  and  set  meat  and  drink  before  the 
stranger,  who  partook  of  the  meal,  and  lodged 
that  night  with  him. 

In  the  morning  the  stranger  rose  up  early  in- 
tending to  pursue  his  journey,  but  Hidud  said 
to  him,  "  Take  first  thy  morning  meal,  then  go 
thy  way." 

After  the  man  had  eaten,  he  rose  to  go  on  his 
way,  but  Hidud  stopped  him,  saying,  "  It  is  late 


HJDUD    OF  SODOM  67 


in  the  day ;  remain,  I  pray  thee,  bide  with  me  yet 
this  day  and  then  depart." 

The  stranger  remained  in  Hidud's  house  until 
the  following  morning,  and  then,  declining  an- 
other pressing  invitation  to  remain  one  day  more, 
he  prepared  for  departure. 

Then  said  Hidud's  wife: 

"  This  man  has  lived  with  us  two  days  and 
paid  us  naught." 

But  Hidud  answered : 

"  Keep  thy  peace." 

He  then  brought  forth  the  stranger's  ass,  and 
bade  him  "  Fare  thee  well." 

"Hold,"  said  the  Elamite,  "my  saddle,  the 
spread  of  many  colors,  and  the  strings  attached 
to  it,  together  witH  my  merchandise,  w^here  are 
they?" 

"What?"  exclaimed  Hidud. 

"  I  gave  into  thy  keeping,"  returned  the  other, 
"  a  beautiful  spread  with  eayly  colored  strings. 


68  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

and  bales  of  silk,  and  a  bag  of  precious  stones, 
and  thou  didst  place  them  in  thy  treasure  chest." 

"  Ah !  "  said  Hidud,  pleasantly,  "  I  will  inter- 
pret thy  dream.  That  thou  hast  dreamed  of 
strings,  signifieth  that  thy  days  will  be  prolonged 
even  as  strings  may  be  stretched  from  end  to  end  ; 
that  thou  hast  dreamed  of  a  spread  of  many 
colors,  signifieth  that  thou  wilt  one  day  possess  a 
garden  rich  in  flowers  and  luscious  fruits." 

The  merchant  answered : 

"  No,  my  lord,  I  dreamed  not ;  I  gave  to  thee  a 
spread  of  many  colors  with  strings  and  precious 
merchandise,  and  thou  didst  hide  them  in  thy 
house." 

And  Hidud  said: 

"And  I  have  interpreted  thy  dream.  I  have 
told  thee  its  meaning,  why  dost  thou  go  on  to  re- 
peat it?  For  the  interpretation  of  a  dream  I  am 
paid  four  pieces  of  silver,  but  as  thou  art  my 
guest,  behold,  I  will  ask  of  thee  only  three." 


HIDUD    OF   SODOM  69 

The  stranger  became  full  of  wrath  at  this  de- 
ceit, and  he  accused  Hidud  in  the  gate  of  Sodom 
of  stealing  his  goods.  Then,  when  each  man  had 
told  his  story,  the  judge  said: 

"  Hidud  speaks  the  truth ;  he  is  an  interpreter 
of  dreams ;  he  is  well  known  as  such." 

And  Hidud  said  to  the  stranger : 

"  And  as  thou  art  such  a  liar,  thou  must  even 
pay  me  the  full  price,  four  pieces  of  silver,  as  well 
as  for  the  four  meals  eaten  in  my  house." 

"  Willingly  will  I  pay  thee  for  thy  meals,"  re- 
plied the  other,  "  if  thou  wilt  but  return  my  sad- 
dle and  my  goods." 

Then  the  two  men  wrangled  with  angry  words, 
and  the  men  in  the  streets  joined  on  Hidud's  side, 
and  they  fought  with  the  stranger  to  thrust  him 
forth  from  the  city,  robbed  of  all  his  possessions. 

Now  it  happened  that  Sarai  had  sent  her  ser- 
vant Eleazer  to  Sodom  to  inquire  concerning  the 
welfare  of  Lot  and  his  family.    As  he  entered  the 


70  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

city,  Eleazer  observed  the  Sodomites  fighting  with 
the  merchant  whom  Hidud  had  defrauded,  and 
who,  running  to  Eleazer,  implored  him  for  assist- 
ance. 

"  What  are  you  doing  to  this  poor  man  ?  "  said 
Eleazer  to  the  Sodomites ;  "  shame  upon  you  to 
rob  and  beat  one  who  is  a  stranger  in  your 
midst !  " 

Then  Hidud  replied : 

"  Is  he  thy  brother  ?  What  is  our  quarrel  to 
thee  ?  "  and  picking  up  a  stone,  he  struck  Eleazer 
with  it  on  the  forehead,  causing  his  blood  to  flow 
freely  in  the  street.  When  the  Sodomite  saw  the 
blood,  he  caught  hold  of  Eleazer,  crying : 

"  Pay  me  my  fee  as  a  leech ;  see,  I  have  freed 
thee  of  this  impure  blood ;  pay  me  quickly,  for 
such  is  our  law." 

"  What ! "  exclaimed  Eleazer,  "  thou  hast 
wounded  me  and  I  am  to  pay  thee  for  it?" 


HIDUD    OF  SODOM  71 

Then  Hidud  turned  to  the  judge  and  made 
again  his  demand  for  a  fee. 

"  Thou  must  pay  the  leech  his  fee,"  said  the 
judge,  addressing  Eleazer,  "  he  has  let  thy  blood, 
and  such  is  our  law." 

Eleazer  paid  the  money,  and  then  lifting  up 
the  stone  he  struck  the  judge  heavily  with  it,  and 
the  blood  spurted  out  in  a  strong  stream. 

"  There !  "  exclaimed  Eleazer,  "  follow  thy  law 
and  pay  my  fee  to  this  man ;  I  want  not  the 
money,"  and  he  left  the  place,  taking  with  him 
the  merchant  of  Elam,  whom  Abram  received 
hospitably,  and  sent  on  his  way  with  gifts. 

For  such  acts  were  Sodom  and  her  sister  cities 
destroyed  by  fire  from  heaven,  and  only  Lot  and 
his  family  spared  through  God's  love  for  His 
servant  Abram, 


72  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

TTbe  power  of  tlears 

Talmudic  Allegory 
(From  The  Hebrew  Review) 

THREE  days  Isaac  was  dead  in  the  heart  of 
Abraham ;  for  God  had  chosen  him  as  a 
burnt-ofifering  and  the  father  refused  not  obedi- 
ence. Silently  Abraham  ascended  the  steep  height 
of  Moriah,  lost  in  painful  reflection,  when  the 
friendly  voice  of  his  child  aroused  him :  "  Behold, 
my  father!  we  have  fire  and  wood,  but  where  is 
the  lamb  for  the  burnt-ofifering  ?  "  And  Abraham 
said,  "  My  son,  God  will  provide  Himself  a  lamb 
for  a  burnt-ofifering !  "  And  onward  they  wound 
their  way  in  silence. 

And  they  came  to  the  place  of  which  God  had 
told  Abraham ;  and  he  built  an  altar  there,  and 
laid  the  wood  in  order,  and  bound  Isaac  his  son, 
and  laid  him  on  the  altar  upon  the  wood. 

And  Abraham  stretched  forth  his  hand,  and 


THE  POWER  OF  TEARS  73 

took  the  knife  to  slay  his  son,  and  he  cast  one  look 
of  anguish  up  to  heaven ;  for  the  boy  lay  mute 
upon  the  altar:  he  neither  complained  nor  re- 
monstrated, but  he  silently  lifted  his  streaming 
eyes  to  heaven. 

The  silent  tear  that  glistened  in  the  eyes  of  both 
pierced  the  sky :  its  mute  appeal  ascended  to  the 
heavens,  and  pleaded  before  the  mercy-seat  of 
Him  before  whom  silence  is  equal  to  eloquence. 

And  the  Angel  of  the  Lord  called  unto  him 
out  of  heaven  and  said,  "Abraham,  Abraham !  " 
and  he  said,  "  Here  am  I."  And  he  said,  "  Lay 
not  thine  hand  upon  the  lad,  neither  do  thou  any- 
thing unto  him." 

Joyfully  the  father  received  the  destined  victim, 
the  son  who  was  restored  unto  him  ;  and  he  called 
the  scene  of  his  anguish  and  joy,  "  The  Lord 
seeth."  He  seeth  the  silent  tear  in  the  eye  of  the 
sufferer ;  He  seeth  the  mute  anguish  of  the  heart, 
which  implores  more  fervently  than  the  loudest 
appeal. 


74  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 


/iDoses  anC)  Jetbro 

By  Richard  Chenevix  Trench 

WHEN  Moses  once  on  Horeb's  rocky  steep, 
A  banished  man,  was  keeping  Jethro's 
sheep, 
What  time  his  flocks  along  the  hills  and  dells 
Made  music  with  their  bleatings  and  their  bells, 
He,  by  the  thoughts  that  stirred  within  him  drawn 
Deep  in  the  mountain,  heard  at  early  dawn 
One  who  in  prayer  did  all  his  soul  outpour, 
With  deep  heart-earnestness,  but  nothing  more: 
For  strange  his  words  were,  savage  and  uncouth, 
And  little  did  he  know  in  very  sooth 
Of  that  great  Lord  to  whom  his  vows  were  made. 
The  other  for  a  moment  listening  stayed. 
Until — his  patience  altogether  spent — 
"  Good  friend,  for  whom  are  these  same  noises 
meant  ? 


MOSES  AND  JETHRO  75 

For  Him  who  dwells  on  high?     This  babbling 

vain, 
Which  vexes  even  a  mortal  ear  with  pain  ? 
Oh,  peace !  this  is  not  God  to  praise,  but  blame ; 
Unmannerly  applause  brings  only  shame  : 
Oh,  stop  thy  mouth ;   thou  dost  but  heap  up  sin, 
Such  prayer  as  this  can  no  acceptance  win, 
But  were  enough  to  make  God's  blessings  cease." 
Rebuked,  the  simple  herdsman  held  his  peace. 
And  only  crying,  "  Thou  hast  rent  my  heart," 
He  fled  into  the  desert  far  apart : 
While  with  himself  and  with  his  zeal  content, 
His  steps  the  son  of  Amram  homeward  bent, 
And  ever  to  himself  applauses  lent — 
Much  wondering  that  he  did  not  find  the  same 
From  his  adopted  sire,  but  rather  blame. 
Who,  having  heard,  replied : 

"  Was  this  well  done  ? 
What  wouldst  thou  have  to  answer,  O  my  son, 
If  God  should  say  in  anger  unto  thee — 


76  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 


'  Why  hast  thou  driven  My  worshipper  from  Me  ? 
Why  hast  thou  robbed  Me  of  My  dues  of  prayer  ? 
Well-pleasing  offering  in  My  sight  they  were, 
And  music  in  Mine  ears,  if  not  in  thine.' 
He  doth  its  bounds  to  every  soul  assign, 
Its  voice,  its  language — using  which  to  tell 
His  praise.  He  counts  that  it  doth  praise  Him 

well; 
And  when  there  is  a  knocking  at  heav'n's  gate. 
And  at  its  threshold  many  suppliants  wait. 
Then  simple  Love  will  often  enter  in, 
Where  haughty  Science  may  no  entrance  win. 
That  poor  man's  words  were  rougher  husks  than 

thine, 
Which  yet  might  hold  a  kernel  more  divine. 
Rude  vessels  guarding  a  more  precious  wine. 
All  prayer  is  childlike  ;  falls  as  short  of  Him 
The  wisdom  of  the  wisest  Seraphim, 
As  the  child's  small  conceit  of  heavenly  things ; 
A  line  to  sound  His  depths  no  creature  brings. 


MOSES  AND  JETIIRO  77 

Before  the  Infinite,  the  One,  the  All, 

Must  every  diflference  disappear  and  fall, 

There  is  no  wise  nor  simple,  great  nor  small. 

For  Him  the  little  clod  of  common  earth 

Has  to  the  diamond  no  inferior  worth ; 

Nor  doth  the  Ocean,  world-encompassing, 

Unto  His  thought  more  sense  of  vastness  bring 

Than  tiny  dew-drop  ;  atoms  in  His  eye, 

A  sun  and  a  sun-mote  dance  equally : 

Not  that  the  great  (here  understand  aright) 

Is  worthless  as  the  little  in  His  sight, 

Rather  the  little  precious  as  the  great. 

And,  pondered  in  His  scales,  of  equal  weight : 

So  that  herein  lies  comfort,  not  despair, 

As  though  we  were  too  little  for  His  care. 

God  is  so  great,  there  can  be  nothing  small 

To  Him — so  loving  He  embraces  all, — 

So  wise,  the  wisdom  and  simplicity 

Of  man  for  Him  must  on  a  level  be : 


78  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

But  being  this,  more  prompt  to  feel  the  wrong, 
And  to  resent  it  with  displeasure  strong, 
When  from  Him  there  is  rudely,  proudly  turned 
The  meanest  soul  that  loved  Him,  and  that  yearned 
After  His  grace.    Oh,  haste  then  and  begone, 
Rebuild  the  altar  thou  hast  overthrown ; 
Replace  the  offering  which  on  that  did  stand. 
Till  rudely  scattered  by  thy  hasty  hand — 
Removing,  if  thou  canst,  what  made  it  rise 
A  faulty  and  imperfect  sacrifice : 
And,  henceforth,  in  this  gloomy  world  and  dark, 
Prize  every  taper  yielding  faintest  spark. 
And  if  perchance  it  burn  not  clear  and  bright, 
Trim,  if  thou  canst,  but  do  not  quench  it  quite." 


MOSES  VISITS  EL  KHOUDR  79 

/iDoses  Distts  JEI  1kbou&r 

By  S.  Baring-Gould 
(From  Legends  of  the  Patriarchs  and  Prophets) 

OXE  day,  say  the  Mussulmans,  Moses  boasted 
before  Joshua  of  his  wisdom.  Then  said 
God  to  him,  "  Go  to  the  place  where  the  sea  of 
the  Greeks  joins  the  Persian  Gulf,  and  there  you 
will  find  one  who  surpasses  you  in  wisdom." 

Moses  therefore  announced  to  the  Hebrews, 
who  continued  their  murmurs,  that  in  punishment 
for  their  stiff-neckedness  and  rebellion  they  were 
condemned  by  God  to  wander  for  forty  years 
in  the  desert. 

Then  having  asked  God  how  he  should  recog- 
nize the  wise  man  of  whom  God  had  spoken  to 
him,  he  was  bidden  to  take  a  fish  in  a  basket; 
"  and,"  said  God,  "  the  fish  will  lead  you  to  My 
faithful  servant." 


8o  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 


Moses  went  on  his  way  with  Joshua,  having 
the  fish  in  a  basket.  In  the  evening  he  arrived 
on  the  shore  of  the  sea  and  fell  asleep. 

When  he  awoke  in  the  morning,  Joshua  for- 
got to  take  the  fish,  and  Moses  not  regarding  it, 
they  had  advanced  far  on  their  journey  before 
they  remembered  that  they  had  neglected  the 
basket  and  fish.  Then  they  returned  and  sought 
where  they  had  slept,  but  they  found  the  basket 
empty.  As  they  were  greatly  troubled  at  this 
loss,  they  saw  the  fish  before  them,  standing 
upright  like  a  man,  in  the  sea;  and  it  led  them, 
and  they  followed  along  the  coast ;  and  they  did 
not  stay  till  their  guide  suddenly  vanished. 

Supposing  that  they  had  reached  their  destin- 
ation, they  explored  the  neighborhood,  and  found 
a  cave,  at  the  entrance  to  which  were  inscribed 
these  words,  "  In  the  Name  of  the  all-powerful 
and  all-merciful  God."  Joshua  and  Moses,  en- 
tering this  cavern,  found  a  man  seated  there,  fresh 


MOSES  VISITS  EL  KHOUDR  8i 

and  blooming,  but  with  white  hair  and  a  long 
white  beard,  which  descended  to  his  feet.  This 
was  the  prophet  El  Khoudr. 

•  •  •  •  • 

Moses  said  to  El  Khoudr,  "  Take  me  for  thy 
disciple,  permit  me  to  accompany  thee,  and  to 
admire  the  wisdom  God  has  given  thee." 

"  Thou  canst  not  understand  it,"  answered  the 
venerable  man.  "  Moreover,  thy  stay  with  me 
is  short." 

"  I  will  be  patient  and  submissive,"  said  Moses ; 
"  for  God's  sake,  reject  me  not." 

"  Thou  mayest  follow  me,"  said  the  sage. 
"  But  ask  me  no  questions,  and  wait  till  I  give 
thee,  at  my  pleasure,  the  sense  of  that  which  thou 
comprehendest  not." 

Moses  accepted  the  condition,  and  El  Khoudr 
led  him  to  the  sea,  where  was  a  ship  at  anchor. 
The  prophet  took  a  hatchet,  and  cut  two  timbers 
out  of  her  side,  so  that  she  foundered. 


82  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

"What  art  thou  doing?"  asked  Moses;  "the 
people  on  board  the  ship  will  be  drowned." 

"  Did  I  not  say  to  thee  that  thou  wouldst  not 
remain  patient  for  long?  "  said  the  sage. 

"  Pardon  me,"  said  Moses,  "  I  forgot  what  I 
had  promised." 

El  Khoudr  continued  his  course.  Soon  they 
met  a  beautiful  child  who  was  playing  with  shells 
on  the  sea-shore.  The  prophet  took  a  knife 
which  hung  at  his  girdle  and  cut  the  throat  of  the 
child. 

"Wherefore  hast  thou  killed  the  innocent?" 
asked  Moses,  in  horror. 

"  Did  I  not  say  to  thee,"  repeated  El  Khoudr, 
"that  thy  journey  with  me  would  be  short?" 

"  Pardon  me  once  more,"  said  Moses ;  "  if  I 
raise  my  voice  again,  drive  me  from  thee." 

After  having  continued  their  journey  for  some 
way,  they  arrived  at  a  large  town,  hungry  and 
tired.  But  no  one  would  take  them  in,  or  give 
them  food,  except  for  money. 


MOSES  VISITS  EL  KHOUDR  83 

El  Khoudr,  seeing  that  the  wall  of  a  large 
house,  from  which  he  had  been  driven  away, 
menaced  ruin,  set  it  up  firmly,  and  then  retired. 
Moses  was  astonished,  and  said,  "  Thou  hast  done 
the  work  of  several  masons  for  many  days.  Ask 
for  a  wage  which  will  pay  for  our  lodging." 

Then  answered  the  old  man,  "  We  must  sepa- 
rate. But  before  we  part,  I  will  explain  what  I 
have  done.  The  ship  which  I  injured  belongs  to 
a  poor  family.  If  it  had  sailed,  it  would  have 
fallen  into  the  hands  of  pirates.  The  injury  I 
did  can  be  easily  repaired,  and  the  delay  will  save 
the  vessel  for  those  worthy  people  who  own  her. 
The  child  I  killed  had  a  bad  disposition,  and  it 
would  have  corrupted  its  parents.  In  its  place 
God  will  give  them  pious  children.  The  house 
which  I  repaired  belongs  to  orphans,  whose  father 
was  a  man  of  substance.  It  has  been  let  to 
unworthy  people.  Under  the  wall  is  hidden  a 
treasure.     Had  the  tenants  mended  the  wall,  they 


84  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

would  have  found  and  kept  the  treasure.  Now 
the  wall  will  stand  till  its  legitimate  owners 
come  into  the  house,  when  they  will  find  the 
treasure.  Thou  seest  I  have  not  acted  blindly 
and  foolishly." 

Moses  asked  pardon  of  the  prophet,  and  he  re- 
turned to  his  people  in  the  wilderness. 


THE  DEATH  OF  AARON  85 

Zbc  H)eatb  ot  Baron 

By  S.  Baring-Gould 
( From  Legeiids  of  the  Patriarchs  and  Prophets) 

MOSES  was  full  of  grief  when  the  word  of 
the  Lord  came  to  him  that  Aaron,  his 
brother,  was  to  die.  That  night  he  had  no  rest, 
and  when  it  began  to  dawn  towards  morning,  he 
rose  and  went  to  the  tent  of  Aaron. 

Aaron  was  much  surprised  to  see  his  brother 
come  in  so  early,  and  he  said,  "  Wherefore  art 
thou  come  ?  " 

Closes  answered,  "  All  night  long  have  I  been 
troubled,  and  have  had  no  sleep,  for  certain  things 
in  the  Law  came  upon  me,  and  they  seemed  to 
me  to  be  heavy  and  unendurable ;  I  have  come 
to  thee  that  thou  shouldst  relieve  my  mind."  So 
they  opened  the  book  together  and  read  from  the 


86  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

first  word ;  and  at  every  sentence  they  said,  "  That 
is  holy,  and  great,  and  righteous." 

Soon  they  came  to  the  history  of  Adam ;  and 
Moses  stayed  from  reading  when  he  arrived  at 
the  Fall,  and  he  cried  bitterly,  "  O  Adam,  thou 
hast  brought  death  into  the  world !  "  Aaron 
said,  "  Why  art  thou  so  troubled  thereat,  my 
brother  ?     Is  not  death  the  way  to  Eden  ?  " 

"  It  is,  however,  very  painful.  Think  also  that 
both  thou  and  I  must  some  day  die.  How  many 
years  thinkest  thou  we  shall  live  ?  " 

Aaron. — "  Perhaps  twenty." 

Moses. — "  Oh,  no !  not  so  many," 

Aaron. — "  Then  fifteen." 

Moses. — "  No,  my  brother,  not  so  many." 

Aaron. — "  Then  surely  it  must  be  five." 

Moses. — "  I  say  again,  not  so  many." 

Then  said  Aaron,  hesitating,  "  Is  it  then  one?  " 

And  Moses  said,  "  Not  so  much." 

Full  of  anxiety  and  alarm,  Aaron  kept  silence. 


THE  DEATH  OF  AARON  87 

Then  said  Moses,  gently,  "  O  my  beloved !  would 
it  not  be  good  to  say  of  thee  as  it  was  said  of 
Abraham,  that  he  was  gathered  to  his  fathers  in 
peace?"     Aaron  was  silent. 

Then  said  Moses,  "  If  God  were  to  say  that 
thou  shouldst  die  in  a  hundred  years,  what 
wouldst  thou  say?  " 

Aaron. — "  The  Lord  is  righteous  in  all  His 
ways,  and  holy  in  all  His  works." 

Moses. — ''  And  if  God  were  to  say  to  thee  that 
thou  shouldst  die  this  year,  what  wouldst  thou 
answer  ?  " 

Aaron. — "  The  Lord  is  righteous  in  all  His 
ways,  and  holy  in  all  His  works." 

Moses. — ''  And  if  He  were  to  call  thee  to-day, 
what  wouldst  thou  say  ?  " 

Aaron. — "  The  Lord  is  righteous  in  all  His 
ways,  and  holy  in  all  His  works." 

"  Then,"  said  Moses,  "  arise  and  follow  me." 

At  that  same  hour  went  forth  Moses,  Aaron, 


88  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

and  Eleazer,  his  son ;  they  ascended  into  Mount 
Hor,  and  the  people  looked  on,  nothing  doubting, 
for  they  knew  not  what  was  to  take  place. 

Then  said  the  Most  High  to  His  angels,  "  Be- 
hold the  new  Isaac;  he  follows  his  younger 
brother,  who  leads  him  to  death." 

When  they  had  reached  the  summit  of  the 
mountain,  there  opened  before  them  a  cavern. 
They  went  in  and  found  a  death-bed  prepared  by 
the  hands  of  the  angels.  Aaron  laid  himself 
down  upon  it  and  made  ready  for  death. 

Then  Moses  cried  out  in  grief,  "  Woe  is  me ! 
we  were  two,  when  we  comforted  our  sister  in 
her  death ;  in  this,  thy  last  hour,  I  am  with  thee 
to  solace  thee;  when  I  die,  who  will  comfort 
me?" 

Then  a  voice  was  heard  from  heaven,  "  Fear 
not ;  God  Himself  will  be  with  thee." 

On  one  side  stood  Moses,  on  the  other  Eleazer, 
and  they  kissed  the  dying  man  on  the  brow,  and 


THE  DEATH  OF  AARON  89 

took  from  off  him  his  sacerdotal  vestments  to 
clothe  Elcazer,  his  son,  with  them.  They  took 
off  one  portion  of  the  sacred  apparel,  and  they 
laid  that  on  Eleazer;  and  then  they  removed  an- 
other portion,  and  laid  that  on  Eleazer ;  and  as 
they  stripped  Aaron,  a  silvery  veil  of  clouds  sank 
over  him  like  a  pall,  and  covered  him. 

Aaron  seemed  to  be  asleep. 

Then  Moses  said,  "  My  brother,  what  dost  thou 
feel  ?  " 

"  I  feel  nothing  but  the  cloud  that  envelops 
me,"  answered  he. 

After  a  little  pause,  Moses  said  again,  "  My 
brother,  what  dost  thou  feel  ?  " 

He  answered  feebly,  "  The  cloud  surrounds 
me  and  bereaves  me  of  all  joy." 

And  the  soul  of  Aaron  was  parted  from  his 
body.  And  as  it  went  up  Moses  cried  once  more, 
"  Alas,  my  brother,  what  dost  thou  feel  ?  " 

And  the  soul  replied,  "  I  feel  such  joy  that  I 
would  it  had  come  to  me  sooner." 


90  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

Then  cried  Moses,  "  Oh,  thou  blessed,  peaceful 
death !     Oh,  may  such  a  death  be  my  lot !  " 

Moses  and  Eleazer  came  down  alone  from  the 
mountain,  and  the  people  wailed  because  Aaron 
was  no  more.  But  the  coffin  of  Aaron  rose, 
borne  by  angels,  in  the  sight  of  the  whole  congre- 
gation, and  was  carried  into  heaven,  whilst  the 
angels  sang,  "  The  priest's  lips  have  kept  knowl- 
edge, have  spoken  truth !  " 


THE  DEATH  OF  MOSES  91 

Ube  Deatb  of  /iDoses 

Talmudic  Allegory 
(From  The  Hebrew  Review) 

WHEN  JMoses,  the  faithful  messenger  of 
God,  was  to  die,  and  his  hour  approached, 
the  Lord  assembled  His  angels,  and  said,  "  It  is 
time  to  recall  the  soul  of  My  servant ;  who  among 
you  will  go  and  summon  her  to  come  into  My 
presence  ?  " 

Then  the  princes  of  the  angelic  host,  Michael 
and  Gabriel,  with  all  who  stand  before  the  throne 
of  the  Lord,  implored,  and  said,  "  We  are  his : 
he  has  been  our  teacher ;  then  let  not  us  summon 
the  soul  of  this  man." 

But  Sammael,  the  leader  of  the  rebellious 
angels,  stood  forth,  and  said,  "  Behold,  here  am  I, 
send  me."     And  he  went. 

Arrayed  in  wrath  and  cruelty,  he  descended, 
wielding  the  flaming  sword  in  his   right  hand. 


92  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

He  rejoiced  beforehand  at  the  agony,  the  death- 
throe  of  the  righteous.  But  when  he  came 
nearer,  he  beheld  the  face  of  Moses.  His  eyes 
were  not  dim,  nor  his  natural  force  abated.  The 
servant  of  the  Lord  wrote  the  words  of  his  last 
song  and  the  sacred  Name.  His  countenance 
was  resplendent,  radiant  with  the  peace  and 
brightness  of  heaven. 

The  enemy  of  mankind  stood  abashed.  His 
sword  dropped  out  of  his  hand,  and  he  hurried 
away.  "  I  cannot  bring  the  soul  of  this  man," 
he  said  to  the  Lord,  "  for  in  him  I  have  found 
nothing  impure." 

And  the  Lord  descended  to  summon  the  soul 
of  his  faithful  and  beloved  servant.  Michael, 
and  Gabriel,  and  the  host  of  angels  that  stand 
before  Him,  followed  in  His  train.  They  pre- 
pared Moses'  bier,  and  surrounded  it ;  and  a 
voice  was  heard,  "  Fear  not,  I  Myself  will  bury 
thee." 


THE  DEATH  OF  MOSES  93 

Then  Moses  prepared  himself  to  die,  and  sanc- 
tified himself  even  as  one  of  the  seraphim  sanc- 
tifieth  himself.  And  the  Lord  called  unto  his  soul 
and  said,  "  My  daughter !  one  hundred  and  twenty 
years  is  the  term  allotted  for  thy  inhabiting  My 
servant's  earthly  tenement.  The  time  is  expired ; 
then  come  forth,  and  tarry  not." 

And  Moses'  soul  answered  and  said,  "  O  Lord 
of  the  universe!  I  know  that  Thou  art  God,  the 
sovereign  Ruler  of  all  spirits  and  of  all  souls,  and 
that  the  living  and  the  dead  are  alike  in  Thy 
hand.  From  Thee  I  received  Thy  glorious  law : 
I  saw  Thee  in  the  flame ;  I  ascended  and  went 
along  the  path  towards  heaven.  Girt  with  Thy 
power,  I  entered  the  palace  of  Egypt's  king ;  I 
took  the  crown  from  off  the  head  of  the  proud 
Pharaoh,  and  did  manifold  signs  and  wonders  in 
his  land.  I  led  forth  Thy  people,  and  parted  the 
sea ;  and  I  made  known  Thy  will  unto  the  sons 
of   man.     I   dwelt   beneath   the   throne  of   Thy 


94 


LEGENDS  AND  TALES 


glory;  my  hut  was  under  the  pillar  of  fire,  and 
I  have  spoken  with  Thee  face  to  face,  as  a  man 
speaketh  to  his  friend.  And  is  not  all  this  enough 
for  me?  Receive  me,  therefore,  for  now  I  come 
to  Thee." 

The  breath  of  the  Most  High  touched  the  lips 
of  Moses,  whose  soul  departed  in  the  touch.  So 
Moses  died  at  the  mouth  of  God,  who  Himself 
buried  him;  and  no  man  knoweth  his  sepulchre 
unto  this  day. 


THE  DEATH  OF  MOSES  95 


'Cbe  IDeatb  of  /iDoses 

By  George  Eliot 
(From  Jubal  and  other  Poems) 

MOSES,   who   spake  with  God  as   with  his 
friend, 
And  ruled  his  people  with  the  twofold  power 
Of  wisdom  that  can  dare  and  still  be  meek, 
Was  writing  his  last  word,  the  sacred  name 
Unutterable  of  that  Eternal  Will 
Which  was  and  is  and  evermore  shall  be. 
Yet  was  his  task  not  finished,  for  the  flock 
Needed  its  shepherd,  and  the  life-taught  sage 
Leaves  no  successor ;  but  to  chosen  men, 
The  rescuers  and  guides  of  Israel, 
A  death  was  given  called  the  Death  of  Grace, 
Which  freed  them  from  the  burden  of  the  flesh. 
But  left  them  rulers  of  the  multitude 
And  loved  companions  of  the  lonely.     This 


96  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 


Was  God's  last  gift  to  Moses,  this  the  hour 
When  soul  must  part  from  self  and  be  but  soul. 

God  spake  to  Gabriel,  the  messenger 

Of  mildest  death  that  draws  the  parting  life 

Gently,  as  when  a  little  rosy  child 

Lifts  up  its  lips  from  off  the  bowl  of  milk 

And  so  draws  forth  a  curl  that  dipped  its  gold 

In  the  soft  white — thus  Gabriel  draws  the  soul. 

"  Go,  bring  the  soul  of  Moses  unto  Me !  " 

And  the  awe-stricken  angel  answered,  "  Lord, 

How  shall  I  dare  to  take  his  life  who  lives 

Sole  of  his  kind,  not  to  be  likened  once 

In  all  the  generations  of  the  earth  ?  " 

Then  God  called  Michael,  him  of  pensive  brow, 

Snow-vest  and  flaming  sword,  who  knows  and 

acts: 
"  Go,  bring  the  spirit  of  Moses  unto  Me !  " 
But  Michael,  with  such  grief  as  angels  feel. 
Loving  the  mortals  whom  they  succor,  plead: 


THE  DEATH  OF  MOSES  97 

"  Almighty,  spare  me ;  it  was  I  who  taught 
Thy  servant  Moses ;  he  is  part  of  me 
As  I  of  Thy  deep  secrets,  knowing  them." 

Then  God  called  Zamael,  the  terrible, 
The  angel  of  fierce  death,  of  agony 
That  comes  in  battle  and  in  pestilence 
Remorseless,  sudden  or  with  lingering  throes, 
And  Zamael,  his  raiment  and  broad  wings 
Blood-tinctured,  the  dark  lustre  of  his  eyes 
Shrouding    the     red,     fell    like    the     gathering 

night 
Before  the  prophet.     But  that  radiance 
Won  from  the  heavenly  presence  in  the  mount 
Gleamed  on  the  prophet's  brow,  and  dazzling 

pierced 
Its  conscious  opposite :  the  angel  turned 
His  murky  gaze  aloof  and  inly  said : 
''  An  angel  this,  deathless  to  angel's  stroke." 


98  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

But  Moses  felt  the  subtly  nearing  dark : — 
"Who  art  thou?   and  what  wilt  thou?"  Zamael 

then: 
"  I  am  God's  reaper ;  through  the  fields  of  life 
I  gather  ripened  and  unripened  souls, 
Both  willing  and  unwilling.     And  I  come 
Now  to  reap  thee."     But  Moses  cried 
Firm  as  a  seer  who  waits  the  trusted  sign : 
"  Reap   thou   the    fruitless   plant   and    common 

herb — 
Not  him  who  from  the  womb  was  sanctified 
To  teach  the  law  of  purity  and  love." 
And  Zamael  baffled  from  his  errand  fled. 

But  Moses,  pausing,  in  the  air  serene 
Heard  now  that  mystic  whisper,  far  yet  near, 
The  all-penetrating  Voice,  that  said  to  him, 
"  Moses,  the  hour  is  come  and  thou  must  die." 
"  Lord.  I  obey ;    but  Thou  rememberest 
How  Thou,  Ineffable,  didst  take  me  once 
Within  Thy  orb  of  light  untouched  by  death." 


THE  DEATH  OF  MOSES  OO 

Then  the  \^oice  answered,  "Be  no  more  afraid: 
With  Me  shall  be  thy  death  and  burial." 
So  Moses  waited,  ready  now  to  die. 

And  the  Lord  came,  invisible  as  a  thought, 
Three  angels  gleaming  on  His  secret  track, 
Prince    Michael,    Zamael,    Gabriel,    charged    to 

guard 
The  soul-forsaken  body  as  it  fell, 
And  bear  it  to  the  hidden  sepulchre 
Denied  forever  to  the  search  of  man. 
And  the  Voice  said  to  Moses :  "  Close  thine  eyes." 
He  closed  them.     "  Lay  thine  hand  upon  thine 

heart, 
And  draw  thy  feet  together."     He  obeyed. 
And  the  Lord  said.  "  O  spirit!  child  of  Mine! 
A  hundred  years  and  twenty  thou  hast  dwelt 
Within  this  tabernacle  wrought  of  clay. 
This  is  the  end :  come  forth  and  flee  to  heaven." 


LEGENDS  AND  TALES 


But  the  grieved  soul  with  plaintive  pleading  cried, 
"  I  love  this  body  with  a  clinging  love : 
The  courage  fails  me,  Lord,  to  part  from  it." 
"  O  child,  come  forth,  for  thou  shalt  dwell  with 

Me 
About  the  immortal  throne  where  seraphs  joy 
In  growing  vision  and  in  growing  love." 

Yet  hesitating,  fluttering,  like  the  bird 

With  young  wing  weak  and  dubious,  the  soul 

Stayed.     But  behold !  upon  the  death-dewed  lips 

A  kiss  descended,  pure,  unspeakable — 

The  bodiless  Love,  without  embracing  Love 

That  lingered  in  the  body,  drew  it  forth 

With  heavenly  strength  and  carried  it  to  heaven. 

But  now  beneath  the  sky  the  watchers  all, 
Angels  that  keep  the  homes  of  Israel, 
Or  on  high  purpose  wander  o'er  the  world 
Leading  the  Gentiles,  felt  a  dark  eclipse : 
The  greatest  ruler  among  men  was  gone. 


THE  DEATH  OF  MOSES 


And  from  the  westward  sea  was  heard  a  wail. 
A  dirge  as  from  the  isles  of  Javanim, 
Crying,  "  Who  now  is  left  upon  the  earth 
Like    him    to    teach    the    right    and    smite    the 

wrong?  " 
And  from  the  East,  far  o'er  the  Syrian  waste. 
Came  slowlier,  sadlier,  the  answering  dirge : 
"  No  prophet  like  him  lives  or  shall  arise 
In  Israel  or  the  world  forevermore." 

But  Israel  waited,  looking  towards  the  mount, 
Till  with  the  deepening  eve  the  elders  came 
Saying,  "  His  burial  is  hid  with  God. 
We  stood  far  off  and  saw  the  angels  lift 
His  corpse  aloft  until  they  seemed  a  star 
That  burned  itself  away  within  the  sky." 
The  people  answered  with  mute  orphaned  gaze 
Looking  for  what  had  vanished  evermore. 
Then  through  the  gloom  without  them  and  within 
The  spirits'  shaping  light,  mysterious  speech, 


LEGENDS  AND  TALES 


Invisible  Will  wrought  clear  in  sculptured  sound, 
The  thought-begotten  daughter  of  the  Voice, 
Thrilled  on  their  listening  sense :  "  He  has  no 

tomb. 
He  dwells  not  with  you  dead,  but  lives  as  Law." 


THE  DEATH  OF  MOSES  103 


Ube  Deatb  ot  /ll>05e9 

By  Richard  Henry  Stoddard 

NOW  Moses  knew  his  hour  of  death  was  nigh  ; 
For  the  Most  High  commanded  Sammael 
To  fetch  His  servant's  soul  to  Paradise — 
Sammael,   who,   clothed   in   anger,   grasped   his 

sword 
To  slay  him,  and  would  have  slain,  but  for  the 

light 
Wherewith  his  face  shone,  while  his  hand  went 

on 
Writing  the  Incommunicable  Name. 
"  What  ails  thee,  Moses  ?    Why  art  thou  so  pale  ? 
What  evil  hath  befallen  us?"  Zipporah  asked. 
And  Moses  said :     "  My  hour  of  death  is  come !  " 
"  What !  must  a  man  who  has  spoken  with  God 

die  thus? 
Thou,  like  a  common  man  ?  "     "  I  must,  all  must, 
The  angels  Michael,  Gabriel,  Israfel, 


104  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

God  only  is  eternal,  and  dies  not. 

Where  are  my  children  ?  "     "  They  are  put  to 

sleep." 
"  Wake  them ;  for  I  must  say  farewell  to  them." 
Beside  the  children's  bed  she  wept  and  moaned: 
"  Wake,  rise,  and  bid  your  father  now  farewell, 
Orphans !  for  this  is  his  last  day  on  earth !  " 
They  woke  in  terror.     "  Who  will  pity  us 
When  we  are  fatherless  ?  "    "  Who  will  pity  them 
When  they  are  fatherless?"     And  Moses  wept. 
Then  God  spake  to  him :     "  Dost  thou  fCar  to 

die? 
Or  dost  thou  leave  this  earth  reluctantly  ?  " 
And  Moses  said :     "  I  do  not  fear  to  die. 
Nor  do  I  leave  this  earth  reluctantly : 
But  I  lament  these  children  of  mine  age, 
Who  have  their  gfrandsire  and  their  uncle  lost, 
And  who  will  lose  their  father,  if  I  die." 
"  In  whom  did  she,  thy  mother,  then  confide. 
When  thou  by  her  wast  in  the  bulrush  ark 


THE  DEATH  OF  MOSES  105 

Committed  to  the  Nile  ?  "     "  In  Thee,  O  Lord !  " 
"  Who  hardened  Pharaoh's  heart,  and  gave  thee 

power 
Before  him  and  his  gods,  and  to  thy  hand 
A  staff,  to  part  the  waters  ?  "     "  Thou,  O  Lord !  " 
"  And  fearest  to  trust  thy  children  unto  Me, 
Who  am  the  Father  of  the  fatherless  ? 
Go,  take  thy  staff  and  over  the  sea  once  more 
Extend  it.  and  thou  shalt  behold  a  sign 
To  strengthen  thy  weak  faith,"    And  he  obeyed. 
He  took  the  rod  of  God,  and,  going  down 
To  the  desolate  sea-beach,  he  stretched  it  there. 
The  sea  divided,  as  when  clouds  are  driven 
Along  the  path  of  a  whirlwind,  and  he  saw 
A  black  rock  in  it,  whereunto  he  went ; 
And    reaching    soon    the    rock,    a    voice    cried, 

"  Smite !  " 
He  smote ;  it  clave  asunder,  and  therein, 
At  its  foundation,  was  a  little  cleft, 
And  in  that  cleft,  with  a  green  leaf  in  its  mouth, 


to6  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

A  worm,  which,  Hfting  up  its  voice,  cried  thrice, 
"  Praise  be  to  God,  who  hath  not  forgotten  me, 
Worm  that  I  am,  in  holy  darkness  here ! 
Praise  be  to  Him,  who  cherishes  even  me !  " 
When  the  low  voice  was  silent,  heard  of  all 
The  angels  in  the  pauses  of  their  hymn. 
For  they  ceased  singing  to  behold  that  sign 
Of  God's  exceeding  love,  He  spake  again : 
"  Thou  seest  that  I  consider  and  provide 
Not  for  man  only,  but  for  a  little  worm, 
In  a  rock  whereof  men  know  not,  in  the  waves. 
Far  in  the  dark  depths  of  the  barren  sea. 
Shall  I  forget  thy  children  who  know  Me  ?  " 
Then  Moses,  so  instructed  of  the  Lord, 
Comforted  his  children,  and  his  sorrowing  wife; 
And,  leaning  on  his  staff,  went  forth  alone. 
To  climb  the  mountain  where  he  was  to  die ; 
And  where,  when  he  had  closed  his  weary  eyes, 
And  pressed  his  hand  upon  his  pulseless  heart, 
God  kissed  His  servant,  and  he  was  with  Him. 


GILBOA  ir>7 


Otlboa 

By  E.  H.  Plumptre 
(From  Master  and  Scholar) 

I. 

SO  life  is  ending,  and  its  visions  pass 
Before  the  inward  eye, 
Like  soft  dew  falling  on  the  tender  grass, 
When  all  around  is  dry. 

Through  the  dark  night  I  see  the  ruby  flush 

Of  childhood's  earliest  day ; 
Through  war's  wild  din,  and  battle's  torrent  rush, 

I  hear  the  children  play. 

Yet  once  again  I  live  that  time  of  might, 

When  I,  and  one  with  me 
Who  bore  my  shield,  were  conquerors  in  the  fight, 

And  made  the  aliens  flee. 


io8  LEGENDS  AND  TAL£S 

From  crag  to  crag  we  clambered,  hand  in  hand, 

And  leapt  from  rock  to  rock ; 
Till  from  the  height  we  looked  on  all  the  land, 

And  dared  the  battle's  shock. 

I  feel  the  faintness  of  that  noontide  heat, 

The  thirst  that  fired  the  brain ; 
I  taste  the  golden  stream  that  trickled  sweet, 

And  brought  life  back  again  : 

The  fear  of  death  is  on  me  as  of  old, 

When  Saul  in  sternness  strove 
An  iron  mantle  round  his  heart  to  fold, 

And  crush  a  father's  love ; 

I  stood  as  one  condemned  to  shameful  death. 

And  offered  up  my  life, 
As  Isaac  bowed  of  old,  with  calmest  breath. 

To  meet  the  glittering  knife : 


GILBOA  109 

When  shrill  and   loud   from   warriors  old  and 
young 

There  rose  the  awe-struck  cry ; 
Their  strong  resolve  through  hill  and  forest  rung, 

"  This  day  shall  no  man  die !  " 

So  with  my  father  many  a  month  passed  on, 

I  smote  the  craven  foe ; 
And  year  by  year  the  crown  of  victory  won. 

Requiting  blow  for  blow. 


So  grew  my  soul  to  manhood's  kingly  noon. 

And  all  men  sang  my  praise ; 
Yet  darker  far  than  night  without  a  moon 

Was  fame's  full  daylight  blaze. 

I  craved  for  one  whose  heart  should  beat  as  mine. 

My  hopes  and  thoughts  to  share ; 
A  soul  to  live  with  me  the  life  divine. 

And  half  grief's  burden  bear. 


LEGENDS  AND  TALES 


I  sought  for  one  to  be  my  friend  and  guide, 

]My  glory  and  my  joy  ; 
When  lo !  there  stood  in  brightness  by  my  side 

The  minstrel  shepherd-boy. 

II. 

Yes,  there  he  stood,  and  life's  deep-hidden  foun- 
tains 

Welled  from  my  soul  in  one  abounding  flood ; 
The  sun  shone  brighter  on  the  hoary  mountains, 

A  sweeter  music  murmured  through  the  wood. 

It  was  not  for  the  flush  of  youthful  beauty, 

The   golden    locks   that    flowed    like   sunlight 
down ; 
Through  eye's  wild  flash  there  gleamed  the  star 
of  duty, 
And  on  his  brow  Truth  set  her  kingly  crown. 


GILBOA  1 1 1 


Strong  arm  was  his  to  smite  the  tyrant  stranger, 
Voice  soft  as  maiden's  stirring  men  to  tears, 

A  soul  that  knew  no  fear  of  death  or  danger, 
Wide  thoughts  of  wisdom  ripening  with  the 
years : 

Forth  from  his  Hps  there  flowed  the  song  of  glad- 
ness, 

His  hand  brought  music  from  the  soulless  lyre ; 
And  lo !  the  spell  chased  all  the  clouds  of  madness, 

Wrath  passed  away  as  wax  before  the  fire. 

Of  warriors  old  he  sang,  our  fathers'  glory, 
The  wonders  of  the  nobler  days  of  old ; 

And  strong,  deep  music  thrilled  through  all  the 
storv, 
Stirring  all  hearts  to  deeds  of  prowess  bold. 

He  sang  the  marvels  of  the  earth  and  heaven, 

The  starry  night,  the  cloud-built  tent  of  God, 
The  wild,  dark  storm  on  wings  of  tempest  driven, 


LEGENDS  AND  TALES 


The  snow-clad  heig^hts  where  never  man  has 
trod: 

And  new  Hght  streamed  o'er  mountain  and  o'er 
river, 
New  voices  mingled  with  the  streamlet's  song ; 
Men's  hearts  rose  up  to  meet  the  Eternal  Giver, 
The  slave  found  freedom,  and  the  weak  grew 
strong. 

And  oh !  my  heart  clave  to  him  as  he  chanted 
The   hymns   that  made  the   brain   and    spirit 
thrill ; 
I  found  the  prize  for  which  my  soul  had  panted, 
The  friend  and  guide  of  thought,  and  heart, 
and  will. 

I  track  that  love  throughout  life's  varied  chances ; 

And  still  my  heart  is  with  him  to  the  last. 
Though  all  our  glory  wane  as  his  advances, 

His  the  bright  future,  ours  the  failing  past. 


GILBOA  113 


III. 

I  gave  him,  in  that  first  bright  hour  of  meeting, 

IMy  robe,  and  sword,  and  shield ; 
And  ofttimes  since  in  every  secret  greeting. 

In  forest  or  in  field. 

That  sacrifice  of  self  on  true  love's  altar, 

I  of  free  choice  renewed ; 
Nor  shall  my  spirit  fail  or  purpose  falter, 

With  woman's  varying  mood. 

I  trust  he  loves  me  still,  but  love's  requiting  .  .  . 

What  need  for  that  to  bless  ? 
Though  he  should  stand  a  foe  against  me  fight- 
in  o- 

I  should  not  love  him  less ; 

Though  from  his  hand  should  dart  the  spear  to 
slay  me, 
I  could  not  him  denv ; 


114  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

No  Other  love  have  I  whereon  to  stay  me, 
And  when  that  fails  I  die: 

I  dream  that  he  will  give  a  little  weeping 

Above  my  fameless  grave; 
I  trust  my  orphan  child  to  his  true  keeping 

From  shame  and  death  to  save : 

So,  though  my  lineage  from  the  earth  shall  perish, 

Yet  faithful  to  the  end, 
He   still,  through  kingly   state  and   strife,  may 
cherish 

The  memory  of  his  friend. 

IV. 

That  music  soft,  of  tender  touch  and  tone, 
That  drew  the  living  fount  from  heart  of  stone. 

Is  hushed  and  passed  away ; 
Now  falls  the  darkness  thicker,  and  mine  eye 
Looks  out  upon  the  starless,  moonless  sky. 

The  dreary,  lonely  way. 


GILBOA  IIS 


The  king,  my  father,  turned  in  wild  despair 
To  priest  and  seer,  with  unregarded  prayer, 

Seeking  for  truth  and  light ; 
They  answered  not,  the  Urim  hid  its  gleams, 
No  vision  of  the  future  came  in  dreams, 

But  all  was  dreariest  night. 

And  so  with  frenzy,  as  of  one  who  feels 
The  curse  of  God  fall  on  him  while  he  kneels, 

He  in  his  maddened  moods 
To  Endor  turned,  where  still  in  cavern  drear 
Dwelt  one,  whose  name  had  been  a  word  of  fear. 

In  sullen  solitudes, 

I  shudder  yet  at  what  I  saw  and  heard. 

The    spectral    form,    the    whispered,    muttering 

word. 
The  spells  that  raise  the  dead. 
The  low  wild  chaunt  that  came  like  mourner's 

wail, 


1,5  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 


When  o'er  the  grave  sweeps  fast  the  northern 
gale, 
The  kirid  Hght  and  red. 

The  kingly  face  with  terror  wan  and  white, 

The  tall  form  stretched  upon  the  earth  all  night, 

The  weariness  and  woe ; 
The  dreary  hours  between  the  midnight  black 
And  day's  first  gloaming,  pale  and  faint  and  slack, 

The  minutes  moving  slow ; 

The  fixed  despair,  the  wild  and  vacant  eye 
Of  one  who  hates  his  life,  yet  cannot  die, 

Though  even  hope  is  gone. 
Dark  end,  my  father,  this  of  all  thy  fame. 
The  songs  and  shouts  that  heralded  thy  name 

The  cry  of  battle  won ; 

Dark  end  of  all  the  loftier  hours  of  life 
When,  raised  awhile  above  its  little  strife, 
Thy  soul  rose  up  to  heaven, 


GILBOA  117 

And  Saul  the  prophet,  bursting  into  praise. 
Sang  the  great  hymns  of  earlier,  holier  days, 
Forgiving  and  forgiven. 

Ah !  even  yet  I  dream  there  lingers  still. 
Through  wildest  storms,  and  wanderings  of  the 
will, 

The  man  that  God  will  own ; 
That  loftiest  hour  thou  canst  not  all  forget, 
That  glory  of  the  past  is  with  thee  yet. 

That  music  from  the  Throne. 

Yes,  he  shall  own  it  in  whose  minstrel  notes 
A  higher  strain  than  priest's  or  prophet's  floats, 

The  Spirit  from  on  high  ; 
His  voice  shall  sing  of  father  and  of  son. 
Who,  still  unsevered,  soul  and  heart  still  one, 

In  death's  dark  chamber  lie. 

Lovely  and  pleasant  yet  our  names  shall  be ; 
The  guilt,  the  shame,  the  woe,  the  pain,  shall  flee  ; 


ii8  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

And,  as  the  shadows  fall, 
Amid  the  surging  storm,  and  battle's  roar, 
We  with  calm  steps  approach  the  eternal  shore, 

Where  peace  reigns  over  all. 


THE  DAWN  ti9 


Ube  Dawn 

Talmudic  Allegory 
(From  The  Hebrew  Review) 

HAST  thou  seen  the  beauteous  dawn,  the  rosy 
harbinger  of  day  ?  Its  brilliancy  proceeds 
from  the  Apartment  of  God ;  a  ray  of  the  Im- 
perishable Light,  and  consolation  to  man. 

•  •  ■  •  • 

As  David,  pursued  by  his  foes,  passed  a  dread- 
ful night  of  agony  in  a  dreary  cleft  of  Hermon's 
rock,  he  sung  the  most  plaintive  of  his  psalms: 
"  Lions  and  tigers  roar  around  me ;  the  assembly 
of  the  wicked  have  encompassed  me ;  and  no  help 
is  near," 

When,  behold,  the  dawn  broke ;  with  sparkling 
eyes  the  roe  of  morning  sprung  forth,  moved  over 
hills  and   plains,  and,   like  a  messenger  of  the 


120  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 


Deity,  addressed  the  fugitive  on  the  sterile  rock : 
"  Why  dost  thou  complain  that  no  help  is  near  ? 
I  emerge  from  the  obscurity  of  the  night;  and 
the  terrors  of  darkness  must  yield  before  the 
genial  ray  of  the  cheerful  light." 

His  eye  continued  fixed  on  the  purple  hue  of 
the  dawn,  and  he  felt  consoled.  He  saw  it  arise, 
and  become  the  sun  in  its  splendor,  pouring  bless- 
ing and  happiness  over  the  earth.  Confidence 
and  hope  once  more  entered  his  soul ;  his  plaintive 
lam.ent  became  a  hymn  of  joy;  he  called  it  "  the 
roe  of  the  morning,*  the  song  of  the  rosy  dawn." 

Often  in  aftertimes,  he  repeated  this  psalm  to 
thank  his  God  for  those  perils  of  his  younger 
years  which  he  had  overcome ;  and  amidst  the 
sorrows  of  his  latter  years  that  psalm  ever 
cheered  his  desponding  soul.  .  .  . 

Daughter  of  the  Creator,  holy  dawn,  thou  who 
every  morning  dost  look  down,  and  inaugurate 
*  Psalm  xxii :  in-j'n  r\W  hv 


THE  DAWN  T2I 


heaven  and  earth,  look  on  me,  too,  and  inaugurate 
my  heart,  that  it  may  be  pure,  an  altar  devoted 
to  thy  Maker. 


LEGENDS  AND  TALES 


Ube  IRoi^al  Singer 

Talmudic  Allegory 
(From  The  Hebrew  Review) 

THE  royal  singer  had  sung  one  of  his  most 
beautiful  psalms  to  the  glory  and  praise  of 
Him  who  had  been  his  help  in  every  need.  The 
last  notes  still  vibrated  on  the  strings  of  his  harp, 
when  Satan  stood  beside  him,  and  tempted  the 
heart  of  the  king  to  be  proud  of  his  song. 
*'  Amongst  all  Thy  creatures,"  he  exclaimed, 
''  hast  Thou,  O  Lord,  one  who  praises  Thee 
more  melodiously  than  I  do?" 

Through  the  open  window,  before  which  he 
spread  his  hands  in  prayer,  a  grasshopper  flew 
into  the  king's  room,  and  seated  itself  on  the 
hem  of  his  robe.  She  began  her  clear  matin- 
song;  a  number  of  grasshoppers  assembled 
around   her.     One  nightingale   came,   and   soon 


THE  ROYAL  SINGER  123 

numbers  of  nightingales  sang  the  praises  of  their 
Creator. 

The  ear  of  the  king  was  opened ;  he  heard  the 
concert  of  all  animated  nature :  the  splashing  of 
the  brook,  the  rustling  of  the  woods,  the  voice 
of  the  morning  star,  the  enrapturing  song  of  the 
rising  sun. 

Lost  in  the  high  harmony  of  the  voices  which 
unceasingly  and  unweariedly  sung,  the  king  re- 
mained silent.  He  thought  his  song  excelled  even 
by  the  grasshoppers  which  still  chirped  on  the 
hem  of  his  robe.  Humility  again  entered  into 
his  soul ;  he  took  his  harp,  and  gave  vent  to  his 
feelings,  as  the  musical  strings  resounded  with 
his  admiration.  "  Praise  ye  the  Lord,"  he  sung, 
"all  ye  his  creatures.  Praise  thou  likewise  the 
Lord,  my  inmost  heart!  my  soul,  join  humbly  in 
His  praise." 


124  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 


notbUxQ  in  tbe  Morl&  Mttbout  llts 

Xllse 

By  H.  Poland 
(From  Selections  from  the  Talmud) 

DAVID,  King  of  Israel,  was  once  lying  upon 
his  couch,  and  many  thoughts  were  passing 
through  his  mind. 

"  Of  what  use  in  this  world  is  the  spider  ?  " 
thought  he ;  "  it  but  increases  the  dust  and  dirt  of 
the  world,  making  places  unsightly  and  causing 
great  annoyance." 

Then  he  thought  of  an  insane  man : 

"  How  unfortunate  is  such  a  being !  I  know 
that  all  things  are  ordained  by  God  with  reason 
and  purpose,  yet  this  is  beyond  my  comprehen- 
sion; why  should  men  be  born  idiots,  or  grow 
insane?  " 

Then  the  mosquitoes  annoyed  him,  and  the 


NOTHING  IN  THE  WORLD  IVITHOUT  ITS  USE     125 

king  thought,  "  What  can  the  mosquito  be  good 
for?  why  was  it  created  in  tlie  world?  It  but 
disturbs  our  comfort,  and  the  world  profits  not 
by  its  existence." 

Yet  King  David  lived  to  discover  that  these 
very  insects,  and  the  very  condition  of  life  the 
being  of  which  he  deplored,  were  ordained  even 
to  his  own  benefit. 

When  he  fled  from  before  Saul,  David  was 
captured  in  the  land  of  the  Philistines  by  the 
brothers  of  Goliath,  who  carried  him  before  the 
king  of  Gath,  and  it  was  only  by  pretending  idiocy 
that  he  escaped  death,  the  king  deeming  it  im- 
possible that  such  a  man  could  be  the  kingly 
David. 

Upon  another  occasion  David  hid  himself  in 
the  cave  of  Adullam,  and  after  he  had  entered 
the  cave  it  chanced  that  a  spider  spun  a  web  over 
the  opening  thereof.  His  pursuers  passed  that 
way,  but  thinking  that  no  one  could  have  entered 


126  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

the  cave  protected  by  the  spider's  web  without 
destroying  it,  they  continued  on  their  way. 

The  mosquito  also  was  of  service  to  David, 
when  he  entered  the  camp  of  Saul  to  secure  the 
latter's  weapon.  While  he  stooped  near  Abner, 
the  sleeping  man  moved  and  placed  his  leg  upon 
David's  body.  If  he  moved,  he  would  awake 
Abner  and  meet  death ;  if  he  remained  in  that 
position,  morning  would  dawn  and  bring  him  to 
death ;  he  knew  not  what  to  do,  when  a  mosquito 
alighted  upon  Abner's  leg;  he  moved  it  quickly, 
and  David  escaped. 

Therefore  sang  David : 

"  All  my  bones  shall  say,  O  Lord,  who  is  like 
unto  Thee." 


DAVID'S  SEARCH  127 


5)av>l&'6  Searcb  for  1bls  Companion  lln 

paradise 

By  S.  Baring-Gould 

(From  Legends  of  the  Patriarchs  and  Prophets) 

DAVID  thanked  God  that  He  had  given  him 
such  a  wise  son  as  Solomon,  and  now  he 
desired  but  one  thing-  further  of  God,  and  that 
was  to  see  him  who  was  to  be  his  companion  in 
Paradise ;  for  to  every  man  is  allotted  by  God 
one  man  to  be  his  friend  and  comrade  in  the 
Land  of  Bliss. 

So  David  prayed  to  God,  and  his  prayer  was 
heard,  and  a  voice  fell  from  heaven  and  bade  him 
to  confer  the  kingdom  upon  his  son  Solomon, 
and  then  to  go  forth,  and  the  Lord  would  lead 
him  to  the  place  where  his  companion  dwelt. 

David  therefore  had  his  son  Solomon  crowned 
king,  and  then  he  went  forth  out  of  Jerusalem. 


128  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

and  he  was  in  pilgrim's  garb,  with  a  staff  in  his 
hand ;  and  he  went  from  city  to  city,  and  from 
village  to  village,  but  he  found  not  the  man  whom 
he  sought.  One  day,  after  the  lapse  of  many 
weeks,  he  drew  near  to  a  village  upon  the  borders 
of  the  Mediterranean  Sea,  and  alongside  of  him 
walked  a  poorly  dressed  man  laden  with  a  bundle 
of  fagots.  This  man  was  very  old  and  reverend 
of  aspect,  and  David  watched  him.  He  saw  him 
dispose  of  his  wood,  and  then  give  half  the  money 
he  had  obtained  by  the  sale  of  it  to  a  poor  person. 
After  that  he  bought  a  piece  of  bread  and  retired 
from  the  town.  As  he  went,  there  passed  a  blind 
woman,  and  the  old  man  broke  his  bread  in  half, 
and  gave  one  portion  to  the  woman ;  and  he  con- 
tinued his  course  till  he  reached  the  mountains 
from  which  he  had  brought  his  load  in  the  morn- 
ing. 

David  thought,  "  This  man  well  deserves  to  be 
my  companion  for  eternity,  for  he  is  pious,  char- 


DAVIDS  SEARCH  129 


itable,  and  reverend  of  aspect ;  I  must  ask  his 
name." 

He  went  after  the  old  man,  and  he  found  him 
in  a  cave  among  the  rocks,  which  was  Hghted  by 
a  rent  above.  David  stood  without  and  lieard  the 
hermit  pray,  and  read  the  Tora  and  the  Psahns, 
till  the  sun  went  down.  Then  he  lighted  a  lamp 
and  began  his  evening  prayers ;  and  when  they 
were  finished,  he  drew  forth  the  piece  of  bread, 
and  ate  the  half  of  it. 

David,  who  had  not  ventured  to  interrupt  the 
devotions  of  the  old  hermit,  now  entered  the  cave 
and  saluted  him. 

The  hermit  asked,  "  Who  art  thou  ?  I  have 
seen  no  man  here  before,  save  only  Mata,  son  of 
Johanna,  the  companion  destined  to  King  David 
in  Paradise." 

David  told  his  name,  and  asked  after  this 
Mata.  But  the  aged  man  could  give  him  no 
information  of  his  whereabouts.     ''But,"  said  he, 


130  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

"  go  over  these  mountains,  and  observe  well  what 
thou  lightest  upon,  and  it  may  be  thou  wilt  find 
Mata." 

David  thanked  him,  and  continued  his  search. 
For  long  it  was  profitless.  He  traversed  the 
stony  dales  and  the  barren  mountains,  and  saw 
no  trace  of  human  foot.  At  last,  just  as  hope  was 
abandoning  him,  on  the  summit  of  a  rugged  peak 
he  saw  a  wet  spot.  Then  he  stood  still  in  sur- 
prise. "  How  comes  there  to  be  a  patch  of  soft 
and  sloppy  ground  here  ?  "  he  asked ;  "  the  top- 
most peak  of  a  stony  mountain  is  not  the  place 
where  springs  bubble  up." 

As  he  thus  mused,  an  aged  man  came  up  the 
other  side  of  the  mountain.  His  eyes  were  de- 
pressed to  the  earth,  so  that  he  saw  not  David. 
And  when  he  came  to  the  wet  patch,  he  stood  still, 
and  prayed  with  such  fervor  that  rivulets  of  tears 
flowed  out  of  his  eyes,  and  sank  into  the  soil ;  and 
thus  David  learned  how  it  was  that  the  mountain 
top  was  wet. 


DAVWS  SEARCH  13  > 


Then  David  thought,  "  Surely  this  man,  whose 
eyes  are  such  copious  fountains  of  tears,  must 
be  my  companion  in  i^'aradise." 

Yet  he  ventured  not  to  interrupt  him  in  his 
prayer,  till  he  heard  him  ask,  "  O  my  God  !  pardon 
King  David  his  sins,  and  save  him  from  further 
trespass !  for  my  sake  be  merciful  to  him,  for 
Thou  hast  destined  him  to  be  my  comrade  for  all 
eternity !  " 

Then  David  ran  towards  him,  but  the  old  man 
tottered  and  fell,  and  before  the  king  reached  him 
he  was  dead. 

So  David  dug  into  the  ground  which  had  been 
moistened  by  the  tears  of  Mata,  and  laid  him 
there,  and  said  the  funeral  prayers  over  him,  and 
covered  him  with  the  earth,  and  then  returned  to 
Jerusalem. 

And  when  he  came  into  his  harem,  the  Angel 
of  Death  stood  there  and  greeted  him  with  the 
words,  "  God  has  heard  thy  supplications ;  now 
has  thv  life  reached  it?  end." 


132  LEGEXDS  AND  TALES 

Then  David  said,  "  The  Lord's  will  be  done!  " 
and  he  fell  down  upon  the  ground,  and  expired. 

Gabriel  descended  to  comfort  Solomon,  and  to 
give  him  a  heavenly  shroud  in  which  to  wrap 
David.  And  all  Israel  followed  the  bier  to  Mach- 
pelah,  where  Solomon  laid  him  by  the  side  of 
Abraham  and  Joseph. 


HOIV  SOLOMOX    OBTAINED   POWER  133 

"fcow  Solomon  ©btalne&  power 

By  S.  Barixg-Gould 
(From  Legends  of  the  Patriarchs  and  Prophets) 

AFTER  Solomon  had  executed  the  last  offices 
for  his  father,  he  rested  in  a  dale  between 
Hebron  and  Jerusalem,  and  fell  asleep.  As  he 
returned  to  himself,  there  stood  before  him  eight 
angels,  each  with  countless  wings,  diverse  in 
kinds  and  colors ;  and  the  angels  bowed  them- 
selves before  him  three  times. 

"Who  are  ye?"  asked  Solomon,  with  eyes 
still  closed. 

"  We  are  the  angels  ruling  over  the  eight  winds 
of  heaven,"  was  their  reply.  "  God  hath  sent 
us  to  give  thee  dominion  over  ourselves  and  over 
the  winds  subject  to  us.  They  will  storm  and 
bluster,  or  breathe  softly,  at  thy  pleasure.     At 


134  LEGEXDS  AND  TALES 

thy  command  they  will  swoop  down  on  earth, 
and  bear  thee  over  the  highest  mountains." 

The  greatest  of  the  angels  gave  him  a  jewel 
inscribed  with  "  God  is  Power  and  Greatness," 
and  said,  "  When  thou  hast  a  command  for  us, 
then  raise  this  stone  towards  heaven,  and  we  shall 
appear  before  thee  as  thy  servants." 

When  these  angels  had  taken  their  departure, 
there  appeared  four  more,  of  whom  each  was 
unlike  the  other.  One  was  in  fashion  as  a 
great  whale,  another  as  an  eagle,  the  third  as  a 
lion,  and  the  fourth  as  a  serpent.  And  they  said, 
"  We  are  they  who  rule  over  all  the  creatures  that 
move  in  the  earth,  and  air,  and  water;  and  God 
hath  sent  us  to  give  thee  dominion  over  all  crea- 
tures, that  they  may  serve  thee  and  thy  friends 
with  all  good,  and  fight  against  thine  enemies  with 
all  their  force." 

The  angel  who  ruled  over  the  winged  fowls 
extended  to  Solomon  a  precious  stone,  with  the 


HOW   SOLOMOX   OBTAIXnn   POWER  135 

inscription,  "  Let  all  creatures  praise  the  Lord!  " 
and  said,  "  By  virtue  of  this  stone,  raised  above 
thy  head,  canst  thou  call  us  to  thy  assistance,  and 
to  fulfil  thy  desire." 

Solomon  immediately  ordered  the  angels  to 
bring-  before  him  a  pair  of  every  living  creature 
that  moves  in  the  water,  flies  in  the  air,  and 
walks  or  glides  or  creeps  on  the  earth. 

The  angels  vanished,  and  in  an  instant  they 
were  with  Solomon  once  more,  and  there  were 
assembled  in  his  sight  pairs  of  every  creature, 
from  the  elephant  to  the  smallest  fly. 

Solomon  conversed  with  the  angels,  and  v/as 
instructed  by  them  in  the  habits,  virtues,  and 
names  of  all  living  creatures;  he  listened  to  the 
complaints  of  the  beasts,  birds,  and  fishes,  and 
by  his  wisdom  he  rectified  many  evil  customs 
among  them. 

He  entertained  himself  longest  with  the  birds, 
both  on  account  of  their  beautiful  speecli.  wliicli 


136  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

he  understood,  and  also  because  of  the  wise 
sentences  which  they  uttered. 

This  is  the  signification  of  the  cry  of  the 
peacock:  "With  what  measure  thou  judgest 
others,  thou  shalt  thyself  be  judged." 

This  is  the  song  of  the  nightingale :  "  Content- 
ment is  the  greatest  happiness."  I' 

The  turtle-dove  calls :  "  Better  were  it  for 
some  created  things  that  they  had  never  been 
created." 

The  pewit  pipes :  "  He  that  hath  no  mercy, 
will  not  find  mercy  hifnself." 

The  bird  syrdar  cries :  "  Turn  to  the  Lord,  ye 
sinners." 

The  swallow  screams :  "  Do  good,  and  ye  shall 
receive  a  reward." 

This  is  the  pelican's  note :  "  Praise  the  Lord 
in  heaven  and  earth." 

The  dove  chants :  "  The  fashion  of  this  world 
passeth  away,  but  God  remaineth  eternal." 


HOIV  SOLOMON   OBTAINED   POWER  137 

The  kata  says :  "  Silence  is  the  best  safe- 
guard." 

The  cry  of  the  eagle  is :  "  However  long  life 
may  be,  yet  its  inevitable  term  is  death." 

The  croak  of  the  raven  is :  "  The  further 
from  man,  the  happier  I." 

The  cock  crows  before  the  dawn  and  in  the 
day :  "  Remember  thy  Creator,  O  thoughtless 
man." 

Solomon  chose  the  cock  and  the  pewit  to  be  his 
constant  companions — the  first  because  of  its  cry, 
and  the  second,  because  it  can  see  through  earth 
as  through  glass,  and  could  therefore  tell  him 
where  fountains  of  water  were  to  be  found. 

After  he  had  stroked  the  dove,  he  bade  her 
dwell  with  her  young  in  the  Temple  he  was  about 
to  build  to  the  honor  of  the  Most  High.  This 
pair  of  doves,  in  a  few  years,  multiplied  to  such 
an  extent  that  all  who  sought  the  Temple  moved 


T.-^S  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

through  the  quarter  of  the  town  it  occupied  under 
the  shadow  of  the  wings  of  doves. 

When  Solomon  was  again  alone,  an  angel  ap- 
peared to  him,  whose  upper  half  was  like  to  earth, 
and  whose  lower  half  was  like  to  water.  He  bowed 
himself  before  the  king,  and  said,  "  I  am  created 
by  God  to  do  His  will  on  the  dry  land  and  in  the 
watery  sea.  Now,  God  has  sent  me  to  serve  thee, 
and  thou  canst  rule  over  earth  and  water.  At  thy 
command  the  highest  mountains  will  be  made 
plain,  and  the  level  land  will  rise  into  steep 
heights.  Rivers  and  seas  will  dry  up,  and  the 
desert  will  stream  with  water  at  thy  command." 
Then  he  gave  to  him  a  precious  stone,  with  the 
legend  engraved  thereon,  "Heaven  and  earth 
serve  God." 


TUP.  j-isrox  or  solomon  139 

Xlbe  IDisiou  ot  Solomon 

By  William  Whitehead 

'  np  WAS  night,  and  sleep  with  gentle-waving 
1  wand 

Sat  softly  brooding  o'er  that  monarch's  brow, 
Whose  waking  nod  could  Judah's  realms  com- 
mand. 

Or  deal  destruction  to  the  frighted  foe, 
Great  David's  son — but  at  this  tranquil  hour 

No  dreams  of  state  disturbed  his  peaceful  bed ; 
To  nobler  heights  his  thoughts  unfetter'd  soar, 

And  brighter  visions  hover  round  his  head : 
Let  meaner  kings  by  mortals  guard  their  state, 
Around  his  sacred  couch  aerial  legates  wait. 

"  Hail,  best  belov'd !  superior  to  the  rest," 

One  bending  angel  cried  with  heavenly  voice, 

"  Earth,  seas,  and  air,  stand  to  thy  view  confess'd. 
And  God's  own  mandate  ratifies  thv  choice. 


140  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

Choose   then   from   these — say,   shall   thy  pow'r 

extend 
Where  suns  scarce  warm  this  earth's  remotest 

shore, 
Shall  India's  lords  beneath  thy  sceptre  bend, 
Whilst    their    black    troops    stand    silent    and 

adore  ? 
To  thee,  sole  lord,  shall  earth  her  stores  unfold, 
Pour  all  her  gems  to  thee,  and  mines  that  flame 

with  gold? 

Shall  ocean's  waves,  obedient  to  thy  call, 

As  erst  to  Moses,  rang'd  in  order  stand ; 
Whilst  crowds   once   more   admire   the   floating 
wall, 

And  treasures  open  on  the  glittering  sand  ? 
Or  shall  Fame's  breath  inspire  each  softer  air, 

Thee  just  and  good,  to  distant  worlds  resound. 
Whilst  Peace,  fair  goddess,  leads  the  smiling  year. 

Swells  the  glad  grain,  and  spreads  the  harvest 
round. 


THE  VISION  OF  SOLOMON  141 

Bids  Jordan's  stream  extend  its  azure  pride, 
Pleas'd  with  reflected  fruits  that  tremble  in  the 
tide?" 

Tlie  cherub  spoke  when  Power  majestic  rose; 

A  Tyrian-tinctur'd  robe  slie  drag-g'd  behind, 
Whose  artful  folds  at  every  turn  disclose 

Sceptres  and  crowns  that  flutter'd  in  the  wind. 
Gigantic  phantom  !  in  her  face  appear'd 

Terrific  charms,  too  fierce  for  mortal  eyes. 
Aw'd  and  amaz'd  her  very  smiles  we  fear'd, 

As  though  storms  lurk'd  beneath  the  smooth 
disguise ; 
But  when  she  frowns,  tremendous  thunders  roar, 
Stern  desolation  reigns,  and  kingdoms  float  in 
gore. 

Her,  Wealth  succeeds,  and  scarce  his  tottering 
head 
Sustains  the  glittering  ore's  incumljent  weight ; 


142  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

O'er  his  old  limbs  were  tatter'd  garments  spread ; 

A  well-fix'd  staff  directs  his  feeble  feet. 
Thus  mean  himself  appear'd  ;  but  all  around 

What  crowds  unnumber'd  hail  the  passing  seer ! 
Power,  as  he  came,  bow'd  lowly  to  the  ground, 

And  own'd  with  reverence  a  superior  there. 
"  Rise,  David's  son,  thy  utmost  wish  extend, 
See  to  thy  sceptre  Wealth,  the  world's  great  mon- 
arch, bend." 

Fame  next  approach'd,  whose  clarion's  martial 
sound 
Bids  conqu'ring  laurels  flourish  ever  green ; 
And  gentle  Peace  with  olive  chaplets  crown'd, 

And  Plenty,  goddess  of  the  sylvan  scene. 
These  Pleasure  join'd;  loose  flow'd  her  radiant 
hair  ; 
Her  flying  fingers  touch'd  the  trembling  lyre. 
''  Come,    Mirth,"    she    sung,    "  your    blooming 
wreaths  prepare ; 


THE  VISION  OF  SOLOMON  143 


Come,  gay  Delight,  and  ever  young  Desire : 
Let  days,  let  years  in  downy  circles  move, 
Sacred  to  sprightly  Joy,  and  all-subduing  Love."' 

The  mingled  train  advanc'd ;  to  close  the  rear, 

As  lost  in  thought,  appcar'd  a  pensive  maid ; 
Bright  was  her  aspect,  lovely,  yet  severe. 

In  virgin  white  her  decent  limbs  array'd : 
She  moved  in  sober  state ;  on  either  side 

A  beauteous  handmaid  friendly  aid  bestow'd: 
Fair  Virtue  here,  her  view  from  earth  to  guide. 

There  Contemplation  rais'd  her  golden  rod. 
Hail,  Wisdom,  hail !  I  see  and  bless  the  sight. 
First-born  of  Heav'n,  pure  source  of  intellectual 
light. 

On  her  the  monarch  fix'd  his  eager  eyes. 

On  her  alone,  regardless  of  the  crowd : 
"  Let  vulgar  souls,"  he  cried.  "  yon  trifles  prize. 

Mortals  that  dare  of  misery  to  be  proud, 


,44  LEGENDS  A\'D  TALES 


Hence,  then :  I  burn  for  more  ingenuous  charms  ; 

Nature's  true  beauties  with  more  lustre  shine. 
Then,  take  me,  Wisdom,  take  me  to  thy  arms ; 

O  snatch  me  from  myself,  and  make  me  thine. 
All  Heav'n  calls  good,  or  man  felicity. 
Peace,  plenty,  health,  content,  are  all  comprised 
in  thee." 


KING  SOLOMON  ASH   77//Z  BEES  145 

"Ring  Solomon  an&  tF3e  JSees 

By  John  GodfiCey  Saxe 

WHEN  Solomon  was  reigning  in  his  glory, 
Unto  his  throne  the  queen  of  Sheba  came, 
(So  in  the  Talmud  you  may  read  the  story) 

Drawn  by  the  magic  of  the  monarch's  fame, 
To  see  the  splendors  of  his  court,  and  bring 
Some  fitting  tribute  to  the  mighty  king. 

Nor  this  alone ;  much  had  her  highness  heard 
What    flowers    of   learning   graced    the    royal 
speech ; 

What  gems  of  wisdom  dropped  with  every  word ; 
What  wholesome  lessons  he  was  wont  to  teach 

In  pleasing  proverbs ;  and  she  wished,  in  sooth. 

To  know  if  Rumor  spoke  the  simple  truth. 

Besides  the  queen  had  heard  (which  piqued  her 
most) 


146  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

How  through  the  deepest  riddles  he  would  spy ; 
How  all  the  curious  arts  that  women  boast 

Were  quite  transparent  to  his  piercing  eye  ; 
And  so  the  queen  had  come — a  royal  quest — 
To  put  the  sage's  cunning  to  the  test. 

And  straight  she  held  before  the  monarch's  view 
In  either  hand  a  radiant  wreath  of  flowers ; 

The  one,  bedecked  with  every  charming  hue, 
Was  newly  culled  from  Nature's  choicest  bow- 
ers. 

The  other,  no  less  fair  in  every  part, 

Was  the  rare  product  of  divinest  Art. 

"  Which  is  the  true,  and  which  the  false  ?  "  she 
said. 

Great  Solomon  was  silent.     All  amazed. 
Each  wondering  courtier  shook  his  puzzled  head. 

While  at  the  garlands  long  the  monarch  gazed, 
As  one  who  sees  a  miracle,  and  fain. 
For  very  rapture,  ne'er  would  speak  again. 


KL\'G  SOLOMON  AXD   THE  BEES  147 

"Which   is   the  true?"   once   more  the   woman 
asked, 

Pleased  at  the  fond  amazement  of  the  king, 
"  So  wise  a  head  should  not  be  hardly  tasked, 

Most  learned  Liege,  with  such  a  trivial  thing !  " 
And  still  the  sage  was  silent ;  it  was  plain 
A  deepening  doubt  perplexed  the  royal  brain. 

While  thus  he  pondered,  presently  he  sees. 
Hard  by  the  casement, — so  the  story  goes, — 

A  little  band  of  busy,  bustling  bees, 
Hunting  for  honey  in  a  withered  rose. 

The  monarch  smiled,  and  raised  his  royal  head ; 

"  Open  the  window  " — that  was  all  he  said. 

The  window  opened  at  the  king's  command. 

Within  the  room  the  eager  insects  flew, 
And  sought  the  flowers  in  Sheba's  dexter  hand! 

And  so  the  king  and  all  the  courtiers  knew 
That  wreath  was  Nature's ;  and  the  baftled  queen 
Returned  to  tell  the  wonders  she  had  seen. 


148  LEGEXDS  AND  TALES 


My  story  teaches  (every  tale  should  bear 
A  fitting  moral)  that  the  wise  may  find 

In  trifles  light  as  atoms  in  the  air 

Some  useful  lesson  to  enrich  the  mind, — 

Some  truth  designed  to  profit  or  to  please, — 

As  Israel's  king  learned  wisdom  from  the  bees ! 


i 


KTS'G  SOLOMON  AXD  THE  ANTS  149 

l?ino  Solomon  an&  tbe  Bnts 

By  John  Greenleaf  Whittier 

OUT  from  Jerusalem 
The  king  rode  with  his  great 
War  chiefs  and  lords  of  state, 
And  Sheba's  queen  with  them  ; 

Comely,  but  black  withal. 

To  whom,  perchance,  belongs 
That  wondrous  Song  of  songs, 

Sensuous  and  mystical. 


Proud  in  the  Syrian  sun. 
In  gold  and  purple  sheen, 
The  dusky  Ethiop  queen 

Smiled  on  King  Solomon. 


ISO  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 


Wisest  of  men,  he  knew 
The  languages  of  all 
The  creatures  great  or  small 

That  trod  the  earth  or  flew. 

Across  an  ant-hill  led 

The  king's  path,  and  he  heard 
Its  small  folk,  and  their  word 

He  thus  interpreted : 

"  Here  comes  the  king  men  greet 
As  wise  and  good  and  just, 
To  crush  us  in  the  dust 

Under  his  heedless  feet." 

The  great  king  bowed  his  head, 
And  saw  the  wide  surprise 
Of  the  Queen  of  Sheba's  eyes 

As  he  told  her  what  they  said. 


KING  SOLOMON  AND  THE  ANTS  151 

"O  King!"  she  whispered  sweet, 

"Too  happy  fate  have  they 

Who  perish  in  thy  way 
Beneath  thy  gracious  feet! 

"  Thou  of  the  God-lent  crown, 
Shall  these  vile  creatures  dare 
Murmur  against  thee  where 

The  knees  of  kings  kneel  down  ?  " 

"  Nay,"  Solomon  replied, 

"  The  wise  and  strong  should  seek 

The  welfare  of  the  weak," 
And  turned  his  horse  aside. 

His  train,  with  quick  alarm, 
Curved  with  their  leader  round 
The  ant-hill's  peopled  mound, 

And  left  it  free  from  harm. 


152  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

The  jewelled  head  bent  low  ; 

"  O  King!  "  she  said,  "  henceforth 
The  secret  of  thy  worth 

And  wisdom  well  I  know. 

"  Happy  must  be  the  State 
Whose  ruler  heedeth  more 
The  murmurs  of  the  poor 

Than  flatteries  of  the  great." 


SOLOMON   AND   AZRAIiL  15.3 

Solomon  an5  Bsracl 

By  Richard  Chenevix  Trench 
(From  Eastern  Moralities) 

SATE  in  his  presence-chamber  Solomon ; 
When  thither  of  his  princes  entered  one, 
Haste  in  his  step,  and  terror  in  his  eye. 
And  cried,  "  O  King,  defend  me,  or  I  die ; 
Even  now  I  saw  with  visage  dark  and  fell 
Gaze  on  me  the  Death-angel  Azrael." 
To  him  the  King:  "  What  help  may  I  afford?  " 
"  Oh,  bid  the  storm-wind,  gracious  mighty  lord, 
That  it  to  farthest  India  waft  me  straight ; 
And  there  my  life  shall  reach  a  longer  date." 
To  farthest  India  at  the  King's  command 
The  storm-wind  swept  him  over  sea  and  land. 
But  when  the  Spirits  met  another  day, 
To  the  Death-angel  spake  the  IMonarch :     "  Say, 


154  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

Why  did  thy  terrors  that  poor  man  affright, 
Till  he  for  anguish  well-nigh  died  outright, 
That    poor    man,    whom    I    sheltered    with    my 

might?" 
Then  he :  "  I  meant  not  dreadful  to  appear, 
But  only  wondered  to  behold  him  here ; 
For  God  had  bid  me  on  that  very  day 
From  farthest  Ind  to  fetch  his  soul  away. 
I  thought.  Were  thousand  pinions  given  to  thee, 
To-day  in  India  thou  shouldst  never  be  ; 
Nor  guessed  how  this  should  be  fulfilled,  till  there 
Thy  word  did  waft  him,  answering  to  his  prayer." 


KING  SOLOMON  iS5 


f^iuQ  Solomon 

By  Owen  Meredith 

KING  Solomon  stood,  in  his  crown  of  gold, 
Between  the  pillars,  before  the  altar, 
In  the  House  of  the  Lord.    And  the  King  was  old, 

And  his  strength  began  to  falter, 
So  that  he  leaned  on  his  ebony  staff. 
Sealed  with  the  seal  of  the  Pentegraph. 

All  of  the  golden  fretted  work 

Without  and  within  so  rich  and  rare. 

As  high  as  the  nest  of  the  building  stork. 
Those  pillars  of  cedar  were : — 

Wrought  up  to  the  brazen  chapiters 

Of  the  Sidonian  artificers. 

And  the  King  stood  still  as  a  carven  king, 
The  carven  cedarn  beams  below, 


isfi  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 


In  his  purple  robe,  with  his  signet-ring, 

And  his  beard  as  white  as  snow, 
And  his  face  to  the  Oracle,  where  the  hymn 
Dies  under  the  wing  of  the  cherubim. 


By  the  soul  of  each  slumbrous  instrument 
Drawn  soft  through  the  musical  misty  air, 

The  stream  of  the  folk  that  came  and  went, 
For  worship  and  praise  and  prayer. 

Flowed  to  and  fro,  and  up  and  down. 

And  round  the  King  in  his  golden  crown. 

And  it  came  to  pass,  as  the  King  stood  there. 
And  looked  on  the  house  he  had  built,  with 
pride, 
That  the  Hand  of  the  Lord  came  unaware, 

And  touched  him,  so  that  he  died. 
In  his  purple  robe,  with  his  signet-ring. 
And  the  crown  wherewith  they  had  crowned  him 
king. 


KIXG  SOLOMOK  157 


And  the  stream  of  the  folk  that  came  and  went, 
To  worship  the  Lord  with  prayer  and  praise, 

Went  softly  ever,  in  wonderment, 
For  the  King  stood  there  always  ; 

And  it  was  solemn  and  strange  to  behold 

That  dead  king  crowned  with  a  crown  of  gold. 

For  he  leaned  on  his  ebony  staflf  upright ; 

And  over  his  shoulders  the  purple  robe ; 
And  his  hair  and  his  beard  were  both  snow-white, 

And  the  fear  of  him  filled  the  globe ; 
So  that  none  dared  touch  him,  though  he  was  dead, 
He  looked  so  royal  about  the  head. 

And   the    moons   were   changed :   and   the   years 
rolled  on : 
And  the  new  king  reigned  in  the  old  king's 
stead : 
And  men  were  married  and  buried  anon ; 

But  the  King  stood,  stark  and  dead. 
Leaning  upright  on  his  ebony  stafT, 
Preserved  by  the  sign  of  the  Pentegraph. 


is8  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

And  the  stream  of  life,  as  it  went  and  came, 
Ever  for  worship  and  praise  and  prayer, 

Was  awed  by  the  face,  and  the  fear,  and  the  fame, 
Of  the  dead  King  standing  there ; 

For  his  hair  was  so  white,  and  his  eyes  so  cold, 

That  they  left  him  alone  with  his  crown  of  gold. 

So  King  Solomon  stood  up,  dead,  in  the  House 
Of  the  Lord,  held  there  by  the  Pentegraph, 

Until  out  from  a  pillar  there  ran  a  red  mouse. 
And  gnawed  through  the  ebony  staff: 

Then  flat  on  his  face  the  King  fell  down : 

And  they  picked  from  the  dust  a  golden  crown. 


THE  LIONS  IS9 


Ube  Xions 

By  Victor  Hugo 
(Translated  by  Mrs.  Newton  Crosland) 

FAMISHED,  the  lions  were  in  their  strong  den, 
And  roared  appeal  to  Nature  from  the  men 
Who  caged  them — Nature  that  for  them  had  care. 
Kept  for  three  days  without  their  needful  fare, 
The  creatures  raved  with  hunger  and  with  hate, 
And  through  their  roof  of  chains  and  iron  grate 
Looked  to  the  blood-red  sunset  in  the  west ; 
Their  cries  the  distant  traveller  oppress'd 
Far  as  horizon  which  the  blue  hill  veils. 

Fiercely  they  lashed  their  bodies  with  their  tails 
Till  the  walls  shook  ;  as  if  their  eyes'  red  light 
And  hungry  jaws  had  lent  them  added  might. 

By  Og  and  his  great  sons  was  shaped  the  cave, 
They  hollowed  it,  in  need  themselves  to  save. 


i6o  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 


It  was  a  deep-laid  place  wherein  to  hide, 

This  giant's  palace  in  the  rock's  dark  side ; 

Their  heads  had  broken  through  the  roof  of  stone, 

So  that  the  light  in  every  corner  shone, 

And  dreary  dungeon  had  for  dome  blue  sky. 

Nebuchadnezzar,  savage  king,  had  eye 

For  this  strong  cavern,  and  a  pavement  laid 

Upon  the  centre,  that  it  should  be  made 

A  place  where  lions  he  could  safely  mew ; 

Though  once  Deucalions  and  Khans  it  knew. 

The   beasts   were    four   most   furious   all.     The 

ground 
Was  carpeted  with  bones  that  lay  all  round. 
While,  as  they  walked  and  crunched  with  heavy 

tread 
Men's  skeletons  and  brutes',  far  overhead 
The  tapering  shadows  of  the  rocks  were  spread. 

The  first  had  come  from  Sodom's  desert  plain ; 
When  savage  freedom  did  to  him  remain 


THE  LIONS  i6i 


He  dwelt  at  Sin,  extremest  point  and  rude 
Of  silence  terrible  and  solitude. 
Oh  !  woe  betide  who  fell  beneath  his  claw, 
This  Lion  of  the  sand  with  rough-skinned  paw. 

The  second  came  from  forest  water'd  by 
The  stream  Euphrates ;  when  his  step  drew  nigh, 
Descending  to  the  river,  all  things  feared. 
Hard  fight  to  snare  this  growler  it  appeared. 
The  hounds  of  two  kings  were  employed  to  catch 
This  Lion  of  the  woods  and  be  his  match. 

The  third  one  dwelt  on  the  steep  mountain's  side, 
Horror  and  gloom  companion'd  every  stride : 
When  towards  the  miry  ravines  they  would  stray, 
And  herds  and  flocks  in  their  wild  gambols  play, 
All  fled — the  shepherd,  warrior,  priest — in  fright 
If  he  leaped  forth  in  all  his  dreadful  might. 

The  fourth  tremendous,  furious  creature  came 
From  the  sea-shore,  and  prowled  with  leonine 
fame. 


1 62  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

Before  he  knew  captivity's  hard  throes, 
Along  the  coast  where  Gur's  strong  city  rose. 
Reeking  its  roofs,  and  in  its  ports  were  met 
The  masts  of  many  nations  thickly  set. 


This  lion  scorned  complaint,  but  crouching  lay 
And  yawned,  so  heavily  time  passed  away. 
Master'd  by  man  sharp  hunger  thus  he  bore, 
Yet  weariness  of  woe  oppressed  him  sore. 

But  to  and  fro  the  others  stamp  all  three. 
And  if  a  fluttering  bird  outside  they  see, 
They  gnaw  its  shadow  as  they  mark  it  soar. 
Their  hunger  growing  as  they  hoarsely  roar. 

In  a  dark  corner  of  the  cavern  dim 
Quite  suddenly  there  oped  a  portal  grim, 
And  pushed  by  brawny  arms  that  fright  betrayed. 
Appeared  a  man  in  grave-clothes  white  arrayed. 


THE  LIONS  163 


The  grating  closed  as  closing  up  a  tomb ; 

The  Man  was  with  the  Lions  in  the  gloom. 

The  monsters  foamed,  and  rushed  their  prey  to 

gain, 
With  frightful  yell,  while  bristled  every  mane. 
Their  howling  roar  expressing  keenest  hate 
Of  savage  nature  rebel  to  its  fate, 
With  anger  dashed  by  fear.    Then  spoke  the  Man, 
And  stretching  forth  his  hands  his  words  thus 

ran, 
"  May  peace  be  with  you,  Lions."     Paused  the 

beasts. 

The  wolves  that  disinter  the  dead  for  feasts. 

The  flat-skulled  bears,  and  writhing  jackals,  they 

Who  prowl  at  shipwrecks  on  the  rocks  for  prey, 

Are  fierce,  hyenas  are  unpitying  found, 

And  watchful  tiger  felling  at  one  bound. 

But  the  strong  lion  in  his  stately  force 

Will  sometimes  lift  the  paw,  yet  stay  its  course, 


1 64  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

He  the  lone  dreamer  in  the  shadows  gray. 
And  now  the  Lions  grouped  themselves ;  and  they 
Amid  the  ruins  looked  like  elders  set 
On  grave  discussion,  in  a  conclave  met, 
With  knitted  brows  intent  disputes  to  end, 
While  over  them  a  dead  tree's  branches  bend. 

First  spoke  the  Lion  of  the  sandy  plain 
And  said,  "  When  this  man  entered  I  again 
Beheld  the  midday  sun,  and  felt  the  blast 
Of  the  hot  simoon  blown  o'er  spaces  vast. 
Oh,  this  man  from  the  desert  comes,  I  see." 

Then  spoke  the  Lion  of  the  woods :  "  For  me, 
One  time  where  fig  and  palm  and  cedars  grow, 
And  holly,  day  and  night  came  music's  flow 
To  fill  my  joyous  cave  ;  even  when  still 
All  life,  the  foliage  round  me  seemed  to  thrill 
With  song.    When  this  man  spoke  a  sound  was 

made 
Like  that  from  birds'  nests  in  the  mossy  shade. 
This  man  has  journey'd  from  my  forest  home!" 


THE  LIONS  165 


And  now  the  one  which  had  the  nearest  come, 
The  Lion  black  from  mountains  huge,  exclaimed  : 
"  This  man  is  like  to  Caucasus,  far-famed, 
Where  no  rock  stirs ;  the  majesty  has  he 
Of  Atlas.    When  his  arm  he  raised  all  free, 
I  thought  that  Lebanon  had  made  a  bound. 
And  thrown  its  shadow  vast  on  fields  around. 
This  man  comes  to  us  from  the  mountain's  side." 

The  Lion  dweller  near  the  ocean  wide, 
Whose  roar  was  loud  as  roar  of  frothing  sea. 
Spoke  last.     "  My  sons,  my  habit  is,"  said  he, 
"  In  sight  of  grandeur  wholly  to  ignore 
All  enmity  ;  and  this  is  why  the  shore 
Became  my  home ;  I  watched  the  sun  arise 
And  moon,  and  the  grave  smile  of  dawn ;  mine 

eyes 
Grew  used  to  the  sublime — while  waves  rolled  by 
I  learn'd  great  lessons  of  eternity. 
Now,  how  this  Man  is  named  I  do  not  know. 
But  in  his  eyes  I  see  the  heavens'  glow ; 
This  man,  with  brow  so  calm,  bv  God  is  sent." 


1 66  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

When  night  had  darken'd  the  blue  firmament, 

The  keeper  wished  to  see  inside  the  gate, 

And  pressed  his  pale  face   'gainst  the  fasten'd 

grate. 
In  the  dim  depth  stood  Daniel  calm  of  mien. 
With  eyes  uplifted  to  the  stars  serene, 
While  this  the  sight  for  wondering  gaze  to  meet, 
The  Lions  fawning  at  the  Captive's  feet ! 


BEL  AND  THE  DRAGON  167 


Ube  Ibistors  ot  tbe  Destruction  ot 
36el  auD  tbe  Draoon 

The  Apocrypha 

NOW  the  Babylonians  had  an  idol,  called  Bel, 
and  there  were  spent  upon  him  every  day 
twelve  great  measures  of  fine  flour,  and  forty 
sheep,  and  six  vessels  of  wine. 

And  the  king  worshipped  it,  and  went  daily  to 
adore  it ;  but  Daniel  worshipped  his  own  God. 
And  the  king  said  unto  him.  Why  dost  not  thou 
worship  Bel? 

Who  answered  and  said.  Because  I  may  not 
worship  idols  made  with  hands,  but  the  living 
God,  who  hath  created  the  heaven  and  the  earth, 
and  hath  sovereignty  over  all  flesh. 

Then  said  the  king  unto  him,  Thinkest  thou  not 
that  Bel  is  a  living  God  ?  seest  thou  not  how  much 
he  eateth  and  drinketh  everv  dav  ? 


i68  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

Then  Daniel  smiled,  and  said,  O  king,  be  not 
deceived :  for  this  is  but  clay  within,  and  brass 
without,  and  did  never  eat  or  drink  anything. 

So  the  king  was  wroth,  and  called  for  his 
priests,  and  said  unto  them,  If  ye  tell  me  not  who 
this  is  that  devoureth  these  expenses,  ye  shall  die. 

But  if  ye  can  certify  me  that  Bel  devoureth 
them,  then  Daniel  shall  die :  for  he  hath  spoken 
blasphemy  against  Bel.  And  Daniel  said  unto 
the  king.  Let  it  be  according  to  thy  word. 

Now  the  priests  of  Bel  were  three-score  and 
ten,  beside  their  wives  and  children.  And  the 
king  went  with  Daniel  into  the  temple  of  Bel. 

So  Bel's  priests  said,  Lo,  we  go  out:  but  thou, 
O  king,  set  on  the  meat,  and  make  ready  the  wine, 
and  shut  the  door  fast,  and  seal  it  with  thine  own 
signet ; 

And  to-morrow  when  thou  comest  in,  if  thou 
findest  not  that  Bel  hath  eaten  up  all,  we  will  suf- 
fer death ;  or  else  Daniel,  who  speaketh  falsely 
against  us. 


BEL  AND  THE  DRAGON  169 

And  they  little  regarded  it ;  for  under  the  table 
they  had  made  a  privy  entrance,  whereby  they 
entered  in  continually,  and  consumed  those  things. 

So  when  they  were  gone  forth,  the  king  set 
meats  before  Bel.  Now  Daniel  had  commanded 
his  servants  to  bring  ashes,  and  those  they  strewed 
throughout  all  the  temple  in  the  presence  of  the 
king  alone :  then  they  went  out  and  shut  the  door, 
and  sealed  it  with  the  king's  signet,  and  so  de- 
parted. 

Now  in  the  night  came  the  priests  with  their 
wives  and  children,  as  they  were  wont  to  do,  and 
did  eat  and  drink  up  all. 

In  the  morning  betime  the  king  arose,  and  Dan- 
iel with  him. 

And  the  king  said,  Daniel,  are  the  seals  whole? 
And  he  said,  Yea,  O  king,  they  be  whole. 

And  as  soon  as  he  had  opened  the  door,  the  king 
looked  upon  the  table,  and  cried  with  a  loud  voice. 
Great  art  thou,  O  Bel,  and  with  thee  is  no  deceit 
at  all. 


170  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

Then  laughed  Daniel,  and  held  the  king  that  he 
should  not  go  in,  and  said.  Behold  now  the  pave- 
ment, and  mark  well  whose  footsteps  are  those. 

And  the  king  said,  I  see  the  footsteps  of  men, 
women,  and  children.  And  then  the  king  was 
angry. 

And  took  the  priests  with  their  wives  and  chil- 
dren, who  showed  him  the  privy  doors,  where  they 
came  in,  and  consumed  such  things  as  were  upon 
the  table. 

Therefore  the  king  slew  them,  and  delivered 
Bel  into  Daniel's  power,  who  destroyed  him  and 
his  temple. 

And  in  the  same  place  there  was  a  great  dragon, 
which  they  of  Babylon  worshipped. 

And  the  king  said  unto  Daniel,  Wilt  thou  also 
say  that  this  is  of  brass?  lo,  he  liveth,  he  eateth 
and  drinketh ;  thou  canst  not  say  that  he  is  no 
living  god ;  therefore  worship  him. 

Then  said  Daniel  unto  the  king,  I  will  worship 
the  Lord  my  God  :  for  he  is  the  living  God. 


BEL  AND  THE  DRAGON  171 

But  give  me  leave,  O  king,  and  I  shall  slay 
this  dragon  without  sword  or  staff.  The  king 
said,  I  give  thee  leave. 

Then  Daniel  took  pitch,  and  fat,  and  hair,  and 
did  seethe  them  together,  and  made  lumps  there- 
of :  this  he  put  in  the  dragon's  mouth,  and  so  the 
dragon  burst  in  sunder :  and  Daniel  said,  Lo, 
these  are  the  gods  ye  worship. 

When  they  of  Bab}lon  heard  that,  they  took 
great  indignation,  and  conspired  against  the  king, 
saying.  The  king  is  become  a  Jew,  and  he  hath 
destroyed  Bel,  he  hath  slain  the  dragon,  and  put 
the  priests  to  death. 

So  they  came  to  the  king,  and  said,  Deliver  us 
Daniel,  or  else  we  will  destroy  thee  and  thine 
house. 

Now  when  the  king  saw  that  they  pressed  him 
sore,  being  constrained,  he  delivered  Daniel  unto 
them : 

Who  cast  him  into  the  lion's  den  :  where  he  was 
six  davs. 


172  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

And  in  the  den  there  were  seven  lions,  and  they 
had  given  them  every  day  two  carcasses  and  two 
sheep :  which  then  were  not  given  to  them,  to  the 
intent  they  might  devour  Daniel. 

Now  there  was  in  Jewry  a  prophet,  called 
Habbacuc,  who  had  made  a  pottage,  and  had 
broken  bread  in  a  bowl,  and  was  going  into  the 
field,  for  to  bring  it  to  the  reapers. 

But  the  angel  of  the  Lord  said  unto  Habbacuc, 
Go,  carry  the  dinner  that  thou  hast  into  Babylon 
unto  Daniel,  who  is  in  the  lions'  den. 

And  Habbacuc  said,  Lord,  I  never  saw  Baby- 
lon ;  neither  do  I  know  where  the  den  is. 

Then  the  angel  of  the  Lord  took  him  by  the 
crown,  and  bare  him  by  the  hair  of  his  head,  and 
through  the  vehemency  of  his  spirit  set  him  in 
Babylon  over  the  den. 

And  Habbacuc  cried,  saying,  O  Daniel,  Daniel, 
take  the  dinner  which  God  hath  sent  thee. 

And  Daniel  said.  Thou  hast  remembered  me, 


BEL  AND  THE  DRAGON  173 

O  God  ;  neither  hast  thou  forsaken  them  that  seek 
thee  and  love  thee. 

So  Daniel  arose,  and  did  eat :  and  the  angel  of 
the  Lord  set  Habbacuc  in  his  own  place  again 
immediately. 

Upon  the  seventh  day  the  king  went  to  bewail 
Daniel :  and  when  he  came  to  the  den,  he  looked 
in,  and,  behold,  Daniel  was  sitting. 

Then  cried  the  king  with  a  loud  voice,  saying, 
Great  art  thou,  O  Lord  God  of  Daniel,  and  there 
is  none  other  beside  thee. 


174  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 


Ube  Stori?  of  Xlobtt  anO  Xlobias 

(Adapted  from  The  Apocrypha) 

TOBIT  called  his  son  Tobias  and  said,  "  My 
son,  when  I  am  dead,  bury  me ;  and  despise 
not  thy  mother,  but  honor  her  all  the  days  of  thy 
life,  and  do  that  which  shall  please  her,  and  grieve 
her  not ;  and  when  she  is  dead,  bury  her  by  me  in 
one  grave.  And  now  I  signify  this  to  thee,  that  I 
committed  ten  talents  to  Gabael  at  Rages  in  Me- 
dia. Fear  not,  my  son,  that  we  are  made  poor, 
for  thou  hast  much  wealth  if  thou  fear  God  and 
depart  from  all  sin  and  do  that  which  is  pleasing 
in  His  sight." 

Tobias  then  answered  and  said,  "  Father,  I  will 
do  all  things  v/hich  thou  hast  commanded  me ; 
but  how  can  I  receive  the  money,  seeing  that  I 
know  him  not  ?  " 

Then  he  gave  him  the  handwriting,  and  said 


THE  STORY  OF  TOBIT  AND  TOBIAS  175 

unto  him,  "  Seek  thee  a  man  that  may  go  with 
thee  while  I  yet  Hve,  and  I  will  give  him  wages ; 
and  go  and  receive  the  money." 

When  he  went  to  seek  a  man,  he  found  Raphael, 
that  was  an  angel,  but  he  knew  it  not,  and  he  said 
to  him,  "  Canst  thou  go  with  me  to  Rages  ?  and 
knowest  thou  those  places  well  ?  " 

To  whom  the  angel  said,  "  I  will  go  with  thee, 
and  I  know  the  way  well." 

Then  Tobias  said  unto  him,  "  Tarry  for  me  till 
I  tell  my  father." 

He  said  unto  him,  "  Go  and  tarry  not." 

So  he  went  in  and  said  to  his  father,  "  Behold, 
I  have  found  one  which  will  go  wnth  me." 

Then  he  said,  "  Call  him  unto  me,  that  I  may 
know  of  what  tribe  he  is,  and  whether  he  be  a 
trusty  man  to  go  with  thee." 

So  he  called  him,  and  he  came  in,  and  they 
saluted  one  another. 

Then  Tobit  said  unto  him,  "  Brother,  show  me 
of  what  tribe  and  family  thou  art." 


176  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

Then  he  said,  "  I  am  Azarias,  the  son  of  Ana- 
nias the  great,  and  of  thy  brethren," 

Then  Tobit  said,  "  Thou  art  welcome,  brother ; 
thou  art  of  a  good  stock ;  but  tell  me  what  wages 
shall  I  give  thee  ?  Wilt  thou  a  drachm  a  day,  and 
things  necessary,  as  unto  my  own  son  ?  " 

So  they  were  well  pleased.  Then  said  he  unto 
Tobias,  "  Prepare  thyself  for  the  journey,  and 
God  send  you  a  good  journey." 

When  he  had  prepared  all  things  for  the  jour- 
ney, his  father  said,  "  Go  thou  with  this  man,  and 
God,  which  dwelleth  in  heaven,  prosper  your  jour- 
ney, and  the  angel  of  God  keep  you  company." 

So  they  went  forth  both. 

As  they  went  on  the  journey,  they  came  in  the 
evening  to  the  river  Tigris,  and  they  lodged  there  ; 
and  when  the  young  man  went  down  to  wash 
himself,  a  fish  leaped  out  of  the  river,  and  would 
have  devoured  him. 

Then  the  angel  said  unto  him,  "  Take  the  fish," 


THE  STORY  OF  TOBIT  AND  TOBIAS  177 

and  the  young  man  laid  hold  of  the  fish  and  drew 
it  to  land.  To  whom  the  angel  said,  "  Open  the 
fish,  and  take  the  heart,  and  the  liver,  and  the 
gall,  and  put  them  up  safely." 

The  young  man  did  as  the  angel  commanded 
him,  and  when  they  had  roasted  the  fish,  they  did 
eat  it ;  then  they  both  went  on  their  way  till  they 
drew  near  to  Ecbatane. 

The  young  man  said  to  the  angel,  "  Brother 
Azarias,  to  what  use  is  the  heart,  and  the  liver, 
and  the  gall  of  the  fish  ?  " 

And  he  said  unto  him,  "  Touching  the  heart  and 
the  liver,  if  a  devil  or  an  evil  spirit  trouble  any, 
we  must  make  a  smoke  thereof  before  the  men  or 
the  women,  and  the  party  shall  be  no  more  vexed ; 
as  for  the  gall,  it  is  good  to  anoint  a  man  who  has 
whiteness  in  his  eyes,  and  he  shall  be  healed." 

When  they  came  near  to  Rages,  the  angel  said 
to  the  young  man,  "  Brother,  to-night  we  shall 
lodge  with  Raguel  who  is  thy  cousin ;  he  has  one 


178  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

only  daughter  named  Sara ;  I  will  speak  for  her 
that  she  may  be  given  thee  for  a  wife,  for  to  thee 
doth  the  right  to  her  appertain,  seeing  thou  only 
art  of  her  kindred.  The  maid  is  fair  and  wise ; 
now  therefore  hear  me  and  I  will  speak  to  her 
father,  and  when  we  return  from  Rages  we  will 
celebrate  the  marriage." 

The  young  man  answered  the  angel,  "  I  have 
heard,  brother  Azarias,  that  this  maid  has  been 
given  to  seven  men  who  all  died  in  the  marriage 
chamber.  Now  I  am  the  only  son  of  my  father, 
and  I  am  afraid  that  I  die  as  the  others  before  me ; 
for  a  wicked  spirit  loveth  her  who  hurteth  no  body 
but  those  who  marry  her,  wherefore  I  fear  lest  I 
die  and  bring  my  father's  and  my  mother's  life, 
because  of  me,  to  the  grave  with  sorrow ;  and 
they  have  no  other  son  to  bury  them." 

Then  the  angel  said  unto  him,  "  Dost  thou  not 
remember  the  precepts  which  thy  father  gave  thee, 
that  thou  shouldst  marry  a  wife  of  thy  own  kin- 


THE  STORY  OF  TOBIT  AND  TOBIAS  179 

dred  ?  When  thou  shalt  conic  into  the  marriage 
chamber  thou  shalt  take  the  ashes  of  perfume, 
and  shalt  lay  upon  them  some  of  the  heart  and 
the  liver  of  the  fish,  and  shalt  make  a  smoke  with 
it,  and  the  devil  shall  smell  it  and  flee  away  and 
never  come  back  again  any  more." 

When  they  were  come  to  Ecbatane,  they  came 
to  the  house  of  Raguel,  and  Sara  met  them,  and 
after  they  had  saluted  one  another  she  brought 
them  into  the  house. 

Then  said  Raguel  to  Edna  his  wife,  "  How  like 
is  the  young  man  to  Tobit  my  cousin." 

And  Raguel  asked  them,  "  From  whence  are  ye, 
brethren  ?  " 

To  whom  they  said,  "  We  are  of  the  sons  of 
Nephthalim,  which  are  captives  in  Nineve." 

Then  he  said  to  them,  "  Do  you  know  Tobit 
our  kinsman?"  and  they  said,  "We  know  him." 

Then  said  he,  "  Is  he  in  good  health  ?  " 

And  they  said,  "  He  is  botli  alive  and  in  good 
health."     And  Tobias  said,  "  He  is  my  father." 


i8o  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

Then  Raguel  leaped  up  and  kissed  him  and 
wept,  and  blessed  him  and  said,  "  Thou  art  the 
son  of  an  honest  and  good  man."  But  when  he 
had  heard  that  Tobit  was  blind,  he  was  sorrowful 
and  wept.  Likewise  Edna  his  wife  and  Sara  his 
daughter  wept. 

After  they  had  killed  a  ram  of  the  flock,  they  set 
store  of  meat  on  the  table. 

Then  said  Tobias  to  Raphael,  "  Brother  Aza- 
rias,  speak  of  those  things  of  which  thou  didst 
talk  in  the  way,  and  let  this  business  be  des- 
patched." 

So  he  communicated  the  matter  with  Raguel, 
and  Raguel  said,  "  Eat  and  drink  and  make 
merry,  for  it  is  meet  that  thou  shouldst  marry  my 
daughter,  nevertheless  I  will  declare  unto  thee 
the  truth.  I  have  given  my  daughter  in  marriage 
to  seven  men  who  died  that  same  night,  neverthe- 
less for  the  present  be  merry." 

But  Tobias  said,  "  I  will  eat  nothing  here,  till 
we  agree  and  swear  one  to  another." 


THE  STORY  OF  TOBIT  AND  TOBIAS  i8i 

Raguel  said,  "  Then  take  her,  for  she  is  thy 
cousin,  and  the  merciful  God  give  you  good  suc- 
cess in  all  things." 

Then  he  called  his  daughter  Sara,  and  she  came 
to  her  father,  and  he  took  her  by  the  hand  and 
gave  her  to  be  wife  to  Tobias,  saying,  "  Behold, 
take  her,  after  the  law  of  Moses,  and  lead  her 
away  to  thy  father,"  and  he  blessed  them  and 
called  Edna  his  wife,  and  took  paper  and  did 
write  an  instrument  of  covenant  and  sealed  it. 
Then  they  did  begin  to  eat. 

Then  Tobias  remembered  the  words  of  Raphael, 
and  he  took  the  ashes  of  perfume,  and  put  the 
heart  and  the  liver  of  the  fish  thereupon,  and  made 
a  smoke  therewith,  the  which  when  the  evil  spirit 
had  smelled,  he  fled  into  the  utmost  parts  of 
Egypt,  and  the  angel  bound  him. 

And  Raguel  kept  the  wedding  feast  fourteen 
days. 

Then  Tobias  called  Raphael  and  said  to  him, 


1 82  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

"Brother  Azarias,  take  with  thee  a  servant  and 
two  camels,  and  go  to  Rages,  to  Gabael,  and  bring 
me  the  money  and  bring  him  to  the  wedding." 

So  Raphael  went  out,  and  lodged  with  Gabael, 
and  gave  him  the  handwriting ;  who  brought  forth 
bags  which  were  sealed  up  and  gave  them  to  him  ; 
and  early  in  the  morning  they  went  forth  both 
together  and  came  to  the  wedding. 

Now  Tobit,  Tobias'  father,  counted  every  day, 
and  Vv^hen  the  days  of  the  journey  were  expired 
and  they  came  not,  he  said,  "Are  they  detained? 
Or  is  Gabael  dead,  and  there  is  no  one  to  give  him 
the  money  ?  " 

Then  his  wife  said  unto  him,  "  My  son  is  dead, 
seeing  he  stayeth  long,"  and  she  began  to  bewail 
him,  and  she  went  out  every  day  into  the  way 
which  they  went,  and  did  eat  no  meat  on  the  day- 
time, and  ceased  not  the  whole  night  to  bewail 
her  son  Tobias,  until  the  fourteen  days  of  the 
wedding  were  expired. 


THE  STORY  OF  TOBIT  AND  TOBIAS  183 

Then  Tobias  said  to  Raguel,  "  Let  me  go,  for 
ni}-  father  and  my  mother  look  no  more  to  see 
me." 

Then  Raguel  arose,  and  gave  him  Sara  his  wife 
and  half  his  goods,  servants,  and  cattle,  and 
money,  and  he  blessed  them  and  sent  them  away, 
saying,  "  The  God  of  heaven  give  you  a  prosper- 
ous journey,  my  children." 

After  these  things  Tobias  went  his  way,  prais- 
ing God,  that  He  had  given  him  a  prosperous 
journey,  and  blessed  Raguel  and  Edna  his  wife, 
and  went  on  the  way  till  they  drew  near  to 
Nineve. 

Then  Raphael  said  to  Tobias,  "  Thou  knowest, 
brother,  how  thou  didst  leave  thy  father.  Let  us 
haste  before  thy  wife  and  prepare  the  house,  and 
take  in  thy  hand  the  gall  of  the  fish." 

Now  Anna  sat  looking  about  toward  the  way 
for  her  son,  and  when  she  espied  him  coming,  she 
said  to  his  father,  "  Behold,  thy  son  cometh,  and 
the  man  that  went  with  him." 


1 84  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

Then  said  Raphael,  "  I  know,  Tobias,  that  thy 
father  will  open  his  eyes,  therefore  anoint  thou 
his  eyes  with  the  gall,  and  being  pricked  there- 
-with,  he  shall  rub,  and  the  whiteness  shall  fall 
away  and  he  shall  see  thee." 

Then  Anna  ran  forth,  and  fell  upon  the  neck  of 
her  son,  and  said  unto  him,  "  Seeing  I  have  seen 
my  son,  I  am  content  to  die." 

Tobit  also  went  forth  toward  the  door  and 
stumbled,  but  his  son  ran  unto  him,  and  took  hold 
of  his  father,  and  he  brake  the  gall  on  his  father's 
eyes,  and  when  his  eyes  began  to  smart,  he  rubbed 
them,  and  the  whiteness  pilled  away  from  the 
corners  of  his  eyes ;  and  when  he  saw  his  son,  he 
fell  upon  his  neck  and  wept  and  said,  "  Blessed 
art  Thou,  O  God,  and  blessed  be  Thy  name  for- 
ever." 

Then  Tobit  went  out  to  meet  his  daughter-in- 
law  at  the  gate  of  Nineve,  rejoicing  and  praising 
God.  And  Tobias'  wedding  was  kept  seven  days 
with  great  joy. 


THE  STORY  OF  TOBIT  AND  TOBIAS  i8s 

Then  Tobit  called  his  son  Tobias-and  said  unto 
him,  "  My  son,  see  that  the  man  have  his  wages 
that  went  with  thee,  and  thou  must  give  him 
more."  > 

And  Tobias  said  unto  him,  "  O  father,  it  is  no 
harm  to  me  to  give  him  half  of  those  things  which 
I  have  brought,  for  he  hath  brought  me  again  to 
thee  in  safety,  and  made  whole  my  wife,  and 
brought  me  the  money,  and  likewise  healed  thee." 

Then  the  old  man  said,  "  It  is  due  unto  him." 

So  he  called  the  angel,  and  he  said  unto  him, 
"  Take  half  of  all  that  ye  have  brought  and  go 
away  in  safety." 

Then  he  took  them  both  apart,  and  said  unto 
them,  "  Bless  God,  praise  Him  and  magnify  Him, 
and  praise  Him  for  the  things  which  He  hath 
done  unto  you  in  the  sight  of  all  that  live.  It  is 
good  to  praise  God  and  exalt  His  name  and  hon- 
orably to  show  forth  the  works  of  God,  therefore 
be  not  slack  to  praise  Him. 


i86  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

"  I  am  Raphael,  one  of  the  seven  holy  angels, 
which  present  the  prayers  of  the  saints,  and  which 
go  in  and  out  before  the  glory  of  the  Holy  One." 

Then  they  were  both  troubled,  and  fell  upon 
their  faces,  for  they  feared.  But  he  said  unto 
them,  "  Fear  not,  for  it  shall  go  well  with  you : 
Praise  God  therefore ;  for  not  of  any  favor  of 
mine,  but  by  the  will  of  our  God  I  came.  Where- 
fore praise  Him  forever  and  ever.  All  these  days 
I  did  appear  unto  you,  but  I  did  neither  eat  nor 
drink,  but  ye  did  see  a  vision.  Now  therefore 
give  God  thanks  ;  for  I  go  up  to  Him  that  sent  me ; 
but  write  all  things  which  are  done  in  a  book." 

And  when  they  arose  they  saw  him  no  more. 


LET   US  DEPART  187 


Xet  UB  Depart 

By  Felicia  Hemans 

[It  is  mentioned  by  Josephus,  that  a  short  time  pre- 
vious to  the  destruction  of  Jerusalem  by  the  Romans, 
the  priests  going  by  night  into  the  inner  court  of  the 
Temple  to  perform  their  sacred  ministrations  at  the 
feast  of  Pentecost,  felt  a  quaking,  and  heard  a  rushing 
noise,  and  after  that  a  sound  as  of  a  great  multitude 
saying,  "  Let  us  depart."] 

NIGHT  hung  on  Salem's  towers, 
And  a  brooding  hush  profound 
Lay  where  the  Roman  eagle  shone, 
High  o'er  the  tents  around, 

The  tents  that  rose  by  thousands, 
In  the  moonlight  glimmering  pale ; 

Like  white  waves  of  a  frozen  sea, 
Filling  an  Alpine  vale. 


i88  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

And  the  Temple's  massy  shadow 

Fell  broad,  and  dark,  and  still. 
In  peace,  as  if  the  Holy  One 

Yet  watched  His  chosen  hill. 

But  a  fearful  sound  was  heard 
In  that  old  fane's  deepest  heart, 

As  if  mighty  wings  rush'd  by. 
And  a  dread  voice  raised  the  cry, 
"  Let  us  depart !  " 

Within  the  fated  city 

E'en  then  fierce  discord  raved. 
Though  o'er  night's  heaven  the  comet  sword 

Its  vengeful  token  waved. 

There  were  shouts  of  kindred  warfare 
Through  the  dark  streets  ringing  high, 

Though  every  sign  was  full  which  told 
Of  the  bloody  vintage  nigh. 


LET   US  DEPART  189 


Though  the  wild  red  spears  and  arrows 

Of  many  a  meteor  host 
Went  flashing  o'er  the  holy  stars, 

In  the  sky,  now  seen,  now  lost. 

And  that  fearful  sound  was  heard 
In  the  Temple's  deepest  heart, 

As  if  mighty  wings  rush'd  by. 
And  a  voice  cried  mournfully, 
"  Let  us  depart !  " 

But  within  the  fated  city 

There  was  revelry  that  night ; 

The  wine-cup  and  the  timbrel  note. 
And  the  blaze  of  banquet  light. 

The  footsteps  of  the  dancer 

Went  bounding  through  the  hall, 

And  the  music  of  the  dulcimer 
Summon'd  to  festival. 


I90  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

While  the  clash  of  brother  weapons 
Alade  lightning  in  the  air, 

And  the  dying  at  the  palace  gates 
Lay  down  in  their  despair. 

And  that  fearful  sound  was  heard 
At  the  Temple's  thrilling  heart, 

As  if  mighty  wings  rush'd  by, 
And  a  dread  voice  raised  the  cry, 
"  Let  us  depart !  " 


THE  LAST  DAY  OF  JERUSALEM  191 

Xlbe  Xast  H)a^  ot  Jerusalem 

By  George  Croly 

FROM  morn  to  eve,  Rome's  iron  tide 
Had  dashed  on  Zion's  haughty  side  ; 
From  morn  to  eve,  the  arrowy  shower 
Rained  on  her  ranks  from  wall  and  tower. 
Now  rose  the  shout  of  Israel ; 
Now,  like  the  sea's  returning  sw^ell, 
Rushed  up  the  mount  the  Roman  charge, 
Again  beat  back  by  Judah's  targe ; 
Strewing  with  helm  and  shield  the  hill ; 
All  wearied,  but  th'  unconquered  will. 
'Twas  eve,  and  still  was  fought  the  field, 
Where  none  could  win,  and  none  would  yield ; 
Beneath  the  twilight's  deepening  shade 
Echoed  the  clash  of  blade  on  blade. 
Still  rushing  through  the  living  cloud 
Its  path  the  Lion-banner  ploughed ; 


192  LEGENDS  AND-  TALES 

And  still  the  Eagle's  fiery  wing 
Seemed  from  the  living  cloud  to  spring ; 
Till  Rome's  retiring  trump  was  blown, 
Answered  by  shouts  from  Zion's  throne. 
That  day  the  Romans  learned  to  feel 
The  biting  of  the  Jewish  steel. 

'Twas  night.    The  sounds  of  earth  were  hushed, 

Save  where  the  palace-fountains  gushed  ; 

Or  from  the  myrtle-breathing  vale 

Sung,  to  the  stars,  the  nightingale. 

Splendid  the  scene,  and  sweet  the  hour! 

The  moonbeams  silvered  tent  and  tower, 

Touched  into  beauty  grove  and  rill. 

And  crowned  with  lustre  Zion's  hill. 

All  loveliness,  but  where  the  gaze 

Shrank  from  the  Roman's  camp-fire's  blaze; 

All  peaceful  beauty,  but  where  frowned, 

Omen  of  woe,  the  Roman  Mound.* 


*  The  Romans  surrounded  the  city  with  a  trench  and  a 
mound,  which  prevented  all  escape,  and  formed  a  char- 
acteristic of  the  siege. 


THE  LAST  DAY  OF  JERUSALEM  193 

'Twas  midnight ;  ceased  the  heavy  jar 

Of  rampart-chain  and  portal  bar ; 

That  hour  of  doom,  on  Zion's  wall 

No  warrior's  foot  was  heard  to  fall ; 

No  murmur  of  the  mighty  camp, 

No  cohort's  tread,  no  charger's  champ, 

Gave  sign  that  earth  was  living  still ; 

All  hushed,  as  by  a  mightier  Will ; 

Ev'n  wounds  that  wring,  and  eyes  that  weep, 

Were  bound  in  one  resistless  sleep : 

Silence  of  silence  all  around ; 

Hushed  as  the  grave — a  death  of  sound! 

•  •  •  •  • 

But  sudden  roars  the  thunder-peal, 
The  forests  on  the  mountains  reel, 
And,  like  the  bursts  of  mountain  springs, 
Is  heard  a  rush  of  mighty  wings ! 
And  voices  sweet  of  love  and  woe 
(Love,  such  as  spirits  only  know) 


194  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

Swell  from  the  Temple's  cloisters  dim, 

A  mingled  chaunt  of  dirge  and  hymn  ; 

Like  grief,  when  help  and  hope  have  fled, 

Like  anguish  o'er  the  dying  bed  ; 

Like  pulses  of  a  breaking  heart : 

"  We  must  depart,  we  must  depart." 

And  grandly  o'er  Moriah's  height, 

Encanopied  in  living  light, 

Rose  to  that  chaunt  of  dirge  and  hymn 

The  squadrons  of  the  Seraphim. 

From  Carmel's  shore  to  Hebron's  chain. 

Shone  in  that  splendor  hill  and  plain ; 

Still  starlike  seemed  the  orb  to  soar, 

Then  all  was  night,  and  sleep  once  more. 

But  whence  has  come  that  sudden  flash, 

And  whence  the  shout,  and  whence  the  clash  ? 

The  Legions  scale  the  Temple  wall ! 

Its  startled  warriors  fly  or  fall. 

Now  swells  the  carnage,  wild  and  wide ; 

Now  dies  the  bridegroom  by  the  bride ; 


THE  LAST  DAY  OF  JERUSALEM  19s 

Peasant  and  noble,  parent,  child, 

In  heaps  of  quivering  carnage  piled  ; 

On  golden  roof,  on  cedar  floor. 

Still  flames  the  torch,  still  flows  the  gore ; 

Hour  of  consummate  agony, 

When  nations,  God-deserted,  die ! 

Yet  still  the  native  dirk  and  knife 

Wrung  blood  for  blood,  and  life  for  life. 

The  priest,  as  to  the  Veil  he  clung. 

With  dying  hand  the  javelin  flung  ; 

The  peasant  on  the  Roman  sprang, 

Armed  but  with  panther's  foot  and  fang, 

From  his  strong  grasp  the  falchion  tore, 

And  dyed  it  in  the  robber's  gore. 

That  night  who  fought,  that  night  who  fell, 

No  eye  might  see,  no  tongue  might  tell ; 

That  sanguine  record  must  be  read 

But  when  the  grave  gives  up  its  dead ; 

Then  Judah's  heart  of  pride  was  tame, 

The  rest  was  sorrow,  slavery,  shame ! 


196  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 


Ubree  Sons 

A  Talmudic  Legend 
By  Emma  Leigh 

LADEN  with  luscious  fruits  and  delicious 
meats  was  the  table  from  which  the  old 
Simon  arose. 

"  My  son,"  said  he,  with  a  proud  and  grateful 
face,  "  whence  didst  thou  procure  these  dainties 
to  delight  the  heart  of  thy  father?  " 

"  Eat  as  the  dogs  do,  old  man ;  ask  me  no 
questions,"  and  the  churlish  fellow  went  impa- 
tiently away. 

The  father  sank  heavily  into  his  seat,  a  grief- 
bowed  figure.  All  joy  had  left  his  heart.  Bit- 
terly he  recalled  the  story  of  Daniah  the  son  of 
Mettiniah,  an  idol-worshipper. 

The  ephod  of  the  high-priest  had  lacked  a  stone 


THREE  SONS  197 


which  the  sages  knew  Mettiniah  could  supply. 
On  entering  the  house  they  told  Daniah  their 
wish.  Now  the  key  to  the  jewel  chest  was  kept 
by  Mettiniah,  who  slept.  Not  even  when  the 
sage  doubled  the  price  for  the  gem  could  Daniah 
be  won  to  disturb  his  father. 

When  Mettiniah  awoke,  Daniah  brought  them 
the  stone.  The  sages  gave  him  the  full  price 
they  had  offered.  Half  of  it  he  returned  with 
the  words,  "  I  will  not  profit  by  my  father's 
honor." 

Sorrowfully  the  old  man  weighed  the  deeds 
of  the  two  sons,  his  and  IMettiniah's. 

As  he  mused,  a  knock  sounded  on  the  door,  and 
a  young  miller,  his  great  favorite,  entered. 

The  new-comer  knelt  to  receive  the  old  man's 
blessing. 

"  I  leave  the  village  early  in  the  morning,"  he 
explained.  "  The  government  exacts  my  ser- 
vice." 


198  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

"  But  I  thought  it  was  thy  sire's  duty  to  go,  for 
•  it  is  he  that  does  no  work.    Thou  hast  tliy  mill." 

"  Father  toils  at  the  mill,  and  I  take  his  place 
among  the  road-makers  and  bridge-builders," 
answered  the  other.  "  It  was  told  me  that  the 
overseers  are  harsh,  and  my  father  is  an  old 
man.     I  can  bear  stripes  better  than  he." 

With  tear-filled  eyes  the  old  man  kissed  the 
lad,  and  sent  him  away  with  a  blessing,  "  God  be 
with  thee,  since  thou  dost  obey  His  command  to 
honor  thy  father." 

From  these  things  comes  the  saying  of  the 
Sages : 

"  Better  was  the  son  that  set  his  father  to  grind 
in  the  mill,  than  he  that  fed  his  father  upon 
dainties." 


SABBATION  199 


Sabbation 

A  Jewish  Legend 
By  Richard  Chenevix  Trench 

BY  the  dark  mountains  guarded  well,  and  on 
the  other  side 
Of  Havila,  for  gold  renowned,  a  land  lies  broad 

and  wide. 
Four-square  it  lies — a  man  at  speed  might  travel 

every  way, 
And  would  not  pass  from  end  to  end  until  the 

ninetieth  day. 
The  mountains  with  their  barriers  dark  upon  three 

sides  enclose 
This  goodly  land,  but  on  the  fourth  a  wondrous 

river  flows ; 
Between  whose  banks  no  water  rolls,  but  rush  and 

roar  along 
Rocks,  stones,  and  sand,  together  mixed,  with 

tumult  loud  and  strong ; 


200  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

And  higher  than  the  houses'  tops  huge  fragments 

leap  and  fly — 
But  on  the  holy  seventh  day  it  sleepeth  quietly. 
Sabbation  it  is  therefore  named,  for  on  the  Sab- 
bath day 
From  eve  till  eve  again  comes  back,  that  river 

sleeps  alway; 
Without  a  sound  or  slightest  stir  that  day  it  doth 

remain, 
But  then,   the    Sabbath   done,   returns   unto   its 

strength  again — 
So  fierce  that  if  in  middle  stream  were  set  an 

adamant  rock, 
It  would  be  shattered  presently  before  the  furious 

shock. 
By  night  a  two  days'  journey  ofY  its  rushing  heard 

may  be, 
Like  thunder,  like  a  mighty  wind,  or  like  the 

roaring  sea. 


SABBATION  201 


Behind  this  river  dwell  secure  the  children  of  the 

race, 
Which  had  on  Israel's  mountains  once  their  quiet 

resting-place ; 
Till  to  the  Assyrian  for  their  sins  delivered  for  a 

prey, 
Who  from  their  soil  uprooted  them,  and  planted 

far  away. 
But  they,  when  in  that  foreign  land  awhile  they 

had  remained. 
Said, — *  Let  us  rise  and  seek  some  place  by  idols 

unprofaned, 
Where  we,  by  sore  affliction  taught,  at  length  may 

understand. 
And  keep  the  law  we  never  kept  w^hile  in  our 

former  land.* 
This  counsel  taking  with  themselves,  and  caring 

not  for  foes. 
And  caring  not  for  length  of  way.  nor  danger, 

they  arose ; 


LEGENDS  AND  TALES 


They  rose  together,  and  dryshod  the  great  Eu- 
phrates passed, 

And  ever  journeying  northward  reached  this 
goodly  land  at  last — 

A  goodly  land — with  all  good  things  their  old  land 
knew  supplied. 

And  all  the  plagues  that  vexed  them  there  for- 
ever turned  aside : 

A  land  of  streams  that  fear  no  drought,  that 
never  fail  to  flow, 

Of  wells  not  fed  by  scanty  rains,  but  springing 
from  below ; 

Where  never  upon  sounding  wing  advance  the 
locust  swarm. 

To  hide  the  noon-day  sun,  and  bring  to  every 
green  thing  harm ; 

Where  never  from  the  desert  blows  the  scorching 
fiery  wind, 

That  breathes  o'er  fields  of  flowers,  and  leaves  a 
wilderness  behind : 


SABBATION  20.3 


The  early  and  the  latter  rain  their  heavens  ne'er 
refuse, 

And  what  the  day  burns  up,  the  night  repairs 
with  copious  dews. 

With  their  own  hands  they  till  the  ground,  and 
have  of  nothing  lack ; 

The  grain  upon  their  furrows  cast  a  hundred- 
fold gives  back, 

And  twice  the  cattle  on  their  hills  yield  increase 
every  year, 

And  trees  that  in  no  other  land  bear  fruit  are 
laden  here. 

Not  readier  on  Engeddi's  steeps  the  wounded 
balsam  sheds 

Its  life's  blood,  and  the  Indian  nard  lifts  here 
its  spiky  heads. 

And  gardens  of  delight  are  theirs ;  and  what  is 
strange  elsewhere 

Of  costly  gum  or  fragrant  spice,  is  counted  com- 
mon there ; 


204  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

No  snake  or  scorpion,  fox  or  dog,  nor  any  beast 

unclean, 
Nor  aught  that  can  bring  harm  to  man,  through 

all  the  land  is  seen. 
A  little  child  will  feed  the  flocks  in  forests  far 

away, 
Not  fearing  man,  nor  evil  beast,  nor  demon  of 

noon-day. 
And  theirs  the  ancient  Hebrew  tongue,  the  speech 

which  angels  love ; 
And  their  true  prayers  in  that  are  made,  and 

always  heard  above — 
Heard,  too,  in  doleful  worlds  below,  where  at 

their  hours  of  prayer 
The  anguish  intermits  awhile,  the  hopeless  misery 

there. 
And  often  when  a  man  goes  forth  in  lonely  wilds 

to  pray, 
An  angel  then  will  meet  him  there,  and — Grace 

be  with  thee! — say; 


SABBATION  205 


No  child  before  his  parent's  eyes  is  laid  on  funeral 

bier, 
And  none  departs  that  has  not  reached  his  happy 

hundredth  year ; 
That  has  not  at  the  least  beheld  his  children's 

children  rise 
About  his  knees,  to  glad  his  heart  and  cheer  his 

failing  eyes. 
Nor  is  the  life  then  torn  away  by  rude  and  painful 

death, 
But  Gabriel  with  a  gentle  kiss  draws  out  the 

flitting  breath : 
And  when  the  soul  arrives  at  last  in  Paradise. 

there  wait 
A  crowd  of  ministering  spirits  there  around  its 

ruby  gate ; 
They  put  the  sordid  grave-clothes  off,  in  raiment 

pure  and  white 
They  clothe  him.  glistening  garments  spun  from 

glorious  clouds  of  light ; 


2o6  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

They  set  two  crowns  upon  his  head,  of  purest 
gold  is  one, 

The  other  diadem  is  wrought  of  pearl  and  pre- 
cious stone ; 

And  giving  myrtle  in  his  hand,  they  praise  him 
and  they  say, 

'  Go  in  and  eat  thy  bread  henceforth  with  glad- 
ness every  day.' 

The  day  before  a  child  is  born,  the  angel,  that 
is  given 

To  be  his  guide  and  guard  through  life,  and  lead 
him  safe  to  heaven. 

In  spirit  takes  him  where  the  Blest  with  light 
divine  are  fed. 

Each  sitting  on  his  golden  throne,  his  crown  upon 
his  head ; 

'  And  these,'  he  says, '  are  they  who  loved  the  law 
of  the  Most  High, 

And  such  by  His  eternal  grace  come  hither  when 
they  die: 


SABBAT  ION  207 


Live  thou  and  be  an  heir  at  length  through  mercy 

of  this  grace, 
Since  thou  must  for  thy  warning  know  there  is 

another  place.' 
The  angel  carries  then  that  soul  at  eventide  to 

hell, 
Where  the  ungodly  evermore  in  painful  prison 

dwell. 
'  These  wretched  once,  as  thou  wilt  soon,  the 

breath  of  life  did  draw. 
And  therefore  be  thou  wise  betimes,  and  keep  and 

love  the  law.' 

And  if  one  see  his  brother  sin,  or  hear  him  speak- 
ing vain 

Or  evil  words,  he  leaves  him  not  unchiddcn  to 
remain. 

But  in  just  anger  says  to  him,  '  INIy  brother,  wilt 
thou  know 

That  sin  upon  our  fathers  brought  God's  wrath 
and  all  their  woe?  ' 


2o8  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

And  thus  doth  each  one  each  exhort,  in  righteous- 
ness and  fear, 

And  with  true  hearts  the  righteous  Lord  to  honor 
and  revere  . 

•  •  •  •  • 

At  brealc  of  morning  every  day,  the  noblest  of  the 

land 
In  pomp  and  solemn  state  ride  forth,  a  high  ex- 
ulting band. 
As  though  to  welcome  and  to  greet  and  lead  in 

triumph  home 
Some  Royal  Stranger,  looked  for  long,  who  now 

at  length  should  come. 
With  some  dejection  on  their  brows  at  evening 

they  return — 
Why  comes  He  not  ?  why  tarries  He  until  another 

morn? 
But  soon  the  shadow  from  their  brows,  the  gloom 

has  passed  away; 
And   that  rejoicing  troop  goes   forth   upon  the 

following  day — 


SABBATION  209 


As  high  of  hope,  in  all  their  state,  they  issue  forth 

again, 
Sure  that  their  high-raised  hope  will  not  prove 

evermore  in  vain ; 
That  He  will  one  day  come,  indeed,  and  with  a 

mighty  hand 
Will  lead  them  back  to  repossess  their  old,  their 

glorious  land. 


210  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

.aiexant)er  tbe  Great  at  Jerusalem 

By  James  K.  Hosmer 
(From  The  Story  of  the  Jews) 

IN  David's  time,  the  population  of  Palestine 
must  have  numbered  several  millions,  and  it 
largely  increased  during  the  succeeding  reigns. 
Multitudes,  however,  had  perished  by  the  sword, 
and  other  multitudes  were  retained  in  strange 
lands.  Scarcely  fifty  thousand  found  their  way 
back  in  the  time  of  Cyrus  to  the  desolate  site  of 
Jerusalem,  but,  one  hundred  years  later,  the 
number  was  increased  by  a  re-enforcement  under 
Ezra.  From  this  nucleus,  with  astonishing  vital- 
ity, a  new  Israel  was  presently  developed.  With 
weapons  always  at  hand  to  repel  the  freebooters 
of  the  desert,  they  constructed  once  more  the 
walls  of  Jerusalem.  Through  all  their  harsh  ex- 
perience  their    feelings    of   nationality   had   not 


ALEXANDER  THE  GREAT  AT  JERUSALEM        211 

been  at  all  abated ;  their  blood  was  untouched  by 
foreign  admixture,  though  some  gentile  ideas  had 
entered  into*  the  substance  of  their  faith.  The 
conviction  that  they  were  the  chosen  people  of 
God  was  as  unshaken  as  in  the  ancient  time. 
With  pride  as  indomitable  as  ever,  intrenched 
within  their  little  corner  ofSyria,  they  confronted 
the  hostile  world. 

But  a  new  contact  was  at  hand ;  far  more  mem- 
orable even  than  that  with  the  nations  of  Meso- 
potamia— a  contact  whose  consequences  affect 
at  the  present  hour  the  condition  of  the  greater 
part  of  the  human  race.  In  the  year  332  B.  C, 
the  high-priest,  Jaddua,  at  Jerusalem,  was  in  an 
agony,  not  knowing  how  he  should  meet  certain 
new  invaders  of  the  land,  before  whom  Tyre,  and 
Gaza,  the  old  Philistine  stronghold,  had  fallen, 
and  who  were  now  marching  upon  the  city  of 
David.  But  God  warned  him  in  a  dream  that  he 
should  take  courage,  adorn  the  city,  and  open  the 


212  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

gates;  that  the  people  should  appear  in  white 
garments  of  peace,  but  that  he  and  the  priests 
should  meet  the  strangers  in  the  robes  of  their 
office.  At  length,  at  the  head  of  a  sumptuous 
train  of  generals  and  tributary  princes,  a  young 
man  of  twenty-four,  upon  a  beautiful  steed,  rode 
forward  from  the  way  going  down  to  the  sea  to 
the  spot  which  may  still  be  seen,  called,  anciently, 
Scopus,  the  prospect,  because  from  that  point  one 
approaching  could  behold,  for  the  first  time,  Jeru- 
salem crowned  by  the  Temple  rising  fair  upon 
the  heights  of  Zion  and  Moriah. 

The  youth  possessed  a  beauty  of  a  type  in  those 
regions  hitherto  little  known.  As  compared  with 
the  swarthy  Syrians  in  his  suite,  his  skin  was 
white ;  his  features  were  stamped  with  the  impress 
of  command,  his  eyes  filled  with  an  intellectual 
light.  With  perfect  horsemanship  he  guided  the 
motions  of  his  charger.  A  fine  grace  marked  his 
figure,  set  off  with  a  cloak,  helmet,  and  gleaming 


ALEXANDER  THE  GREAT  AT  JERUSALEM        213 

arms,  as  he  expressed  with  animated  gestures  his 
exultation  over  the  spectacle  before  him.  But 
now  down  from  the  heights  came  the  procession 
of  the  priests  and  the  people.  The  multitude  pro- 
ceeded in  their  robes  of  white ;  the  priests  stood 
clothed  in  fine  linen ;  while  the  high-priest,  in 
attire  of  purple  and  scarlet,  upon  his  breast  the 
great  breastplate  of  judgment  with  its  jewels, 
upon  his  head  the  mitre  marked  with  the  plate 
of  gold  whereon  was  engraved  the  name  of  God, 
led  the  train  with  venerable  dignity. 

Now,  says  the  historian,  when  the  Phoenicians 
and  Chaldeans  that  followed  Alexander  thought 
that  they  should  have  liberty  to  plunder  the  city, 
and  torment  the  high-priest  to  death,  the  very 
reverse  happened ;  for  the  young  leader,  when  he 
saw  the  multitude  in  the  distance,  and  the  figure  of 
the  high-priest  before,  approached  him  by  him- 
self, saluted  him,  and  adored  the  name,  which 
was  graven  upon  the  plate  of  the  mitre.     Then 


214  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

a  captain,  named  Parmenio,  asked  him  how  it 
came  to  pass  that,  when  all  others  adored  him,  he 
should  adore  the  high-priest  of  the  Jews.  To 
whom  the  leader  replied :  "  I  do  not  adore  him, 
but  that  God  who  hath  honored  him  with  His 
high-priesthood;  for  I  saw  this  very  person  in  a 
dream,  in  this  very  habit,  when  I  was  at  Dios  in 
Macedonia,  who,  when  I  was  considering  how  I 
might  obtain  the  dominion  of  Asia,  exhorted  me 
to  make  no  delay,  but  boldly  to  pass  over  the 
sea  thither,  for  that  he  would  conduct  my  army, 
and  could  give  me  the  dominion  over  the  Per- 
sians." Then,  when  Alexander  had  given  the 
high-priest  his  right  hand,  the  priests  ran  along 
by  him,  and  he  came  into  the  city,  and  he  offered 
sacrifice  to  God  in  the  Temple,  according  to  the 
high-priest's  direction,  and  magnificently  treated 
both  the  high-priest  and  the  priests.  He 
granted  all  the  multitude  desired;  and  when  he 
said  to  them  that  if  any  of  them  would  enlist 
themselves  in  his  army  on  this  condition,  that  they 


ALEXANDER  THE  GREAT  AT  JERUSALEM        215 

should  continue  under  the  laws  of  their  fore- 
fathers, he  was  willing  to  take  them  with  him, 
many  were  ready  to  accompany  him  in  his  wars. 
When  the  high-priest  Jaddua  and  Alexander 
the  Great  went  hand  in  hand  up  into  the  mount  of 
the  Temple,  then  for  the  first  time  came  together 
the  Jew  and  the  Aryan. 

•  •  •  •  « 

It  was  a  contact  taking  place  under  circum- 
stances, it  would  seem,  the  most  auspicious — the 
venerable  old  man  and  the  beautiful  Greek  youth 
clasping  hands,  the  ruthless  followers  of  the  con- 
queror baffled  in  their  hopes  of  booty,  the  multi- 
tudes of  Jerusalem,  in  their  robes  of  peace,  filling 
the  air  with  acclamations,  as  Alexander  rode  from 
the  place  of  prospect  up  the  heights  of  Zion,  into 
the  solemn  precincts  of  the  Temple.  It  was  the 
prologue,  however,  to  a  tragedy  of  the  darkest, 
to  a  persecution  of  two  thousand  years,  the 
flames  of  which  even  at  the  present  hour  can 
scarcely  be  said  to  have  died  dow'n. 


2i6  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

Bleian&er  at  tbe  (Bates  of  paraOtse 

A  Legend  from  the  Talmud 
By  Richard  Chenevix  Trench 

FIERCE  was  the  glare  of  Cashmere's  middle 
day, 
When  Alexander,  for  Hydaspes  bent, 
Through    trackless   wilds    urged   his   impetuous 
way: 

Who  yet  in  that  wide,  wasteful  continent, 

A  little  valley  found,  so  calm,  so  sweet. 
He  there  awhile  to  tarry  was  content. 

A  crystal  stream  was  murmuring  at  his  feet, 

Whereof  the  monarch,  when  his  meal  was  done, 
Took  a  long  draught,  to  slake  his  fever  heat. 

Again  he  drank,  and  yet  again,  as  one 

Who  would  have  drained  that  fountain  crystal- 
line 
Of  all  its  waves,  and  left  it  dry  anon : 


ALEXANDER  AT  THE  GATES  OF  PARADISE       21; 

For  in  his  veins,  ofttimes  afire  with  wine, 

And  in  his  bosom,  tlirone  of  sleepless  pride. 
The  while  he  drank,  went  circling  peace  divine. 

It  seemed  as  though  all  evil  passions  died 

Within  him,  slaked  was  every  fire  accurst; 
So  that  in  rapturous  joy  aloud  he  cried: — 

"  Oh,  might  I  find  where  these  pure  waters  first 
Shoot   sparkling   from   their   living   fountain- 
head — 
Oh,  there  to  quench  my  spirit's  inmost  thirst! 

"  Sure  if  we  followed  where  these  waters  led. 
We  should  at  length  some  fairer  region  gain 
Than  yet  has  quaked  beneath  our  iron  tread, — 

"  Some  land  that  should  in  very  truth  contain 
Whate'er  we  dream  of,  beautiful  and  bright. 
And  idly  dreaming  of,  pursue  in  vain ! 


2i8  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 


"  That  land  must  stoop  beneath  our  conquering 
might. 
Companions  dear,  this  toil  remains  alone, 
To  win  that  region  of  unmatched  delight. 

"  O  faithful  in  a  thousand  labors  known, 

One  toil  remains,  the  noblest  and  the  last ; 
Let  us  arise,  and  make  that  land  our  own !  " 

— Through  realms  of  darkness,  wildernesses  vast, 

All  populous  with  sights  and  sounds  of  fear. 
In  heat  and  cold,  by  day  and  night,  he  past — 

With  trumpet-clang,  with  banner,  and  with  spear ; 

Yearning  to  drink  that  river,  where  it  sent 
Its  first  pure  waters  forth,  serene  and  clear : 

Till  boldest  captains  sank,  their  courage  spent, 
And  dying  cried,  "  This  stream  all  search  de- 
fies!" 
But  never  would  he  tarry  nor  repent — 


ALEXANDER  AT  THE  GATES  OF  PARADISE       219 

Nor  pitched  his  banners,  till  before  his  eyes 

Rose  high  as  heaven,  in  its  secluded  state, 
The  mighty,  verdant  wall  of  Paradise. 

And  lo!  that  stream,  which  early  still  and  late 

He  had  tracked  upward,  issued  bright  and  clear 
From  underneath  the  angel-guarded  gate. 

— "  And  who  art  thou  that  hast  adventured  here, 

Daring  to  startle  this  serene  abode 
With  flash  of  mortal  weapons,  sword  and  spear  ?  " 

So  the  angelic  sentinel  of  God, 

Fire-flashing,  to  the  bold  invader  cried, 
Whose  feet  profane  those  holy  precincts  trod. 

The  son  of  Philip  without  dread  replied  : — 
"  Is  Alexander's  fame  unknown  to  thee. 
Which  the  world  knows — mine,  who  have  victory 
tied 


220  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

"  To  my  sword's  hilt,  and  who,  while  stoop  to  me 

All  other  lands,  would  win  what  rich  or  fair 
This  land  contains,  and  have  it  mine  in  fee  ?  " 

— "  Thou  dost  thyself  proclaim  that  part  or  share 

Thou  hast  not  here.     O  man  of  blood  and  sin, 

Go  back ! — with  those  blood-stained  hands  despair 

"  This  place  of  love  and  holy  peace  to  win : 

This  is  the  gate  of  righteousness,  and  they, 
The  righteous,  only  here  may  enter  in." 

Around,  before  him,  lightnings  dart  and  play : 
He  undismayed — "  Of  travail  long  and  hard 
At  least  some  trophy  let  me  bear  away." 

— "  Lo !  then  this  skull — which,  if  thou  wilt  re- 
gard, 
And  to  my  question  seek  the  fit  reply, 
All  thy  long  labors  shall  have  full  reward. 


ALEXANDER  AT  THE  GATES  OF  PARADISE       221 

"  Once  in  that  hollow  circle  lodged  an  eye, 
That  was,  like  thine,  forever  coveting — 
Which  worlds  on  worlds  had  failed  to  satisfy. 

"  Now,  while  thou  gazest  on  that  ghastly  ring. 

From  whence  of  old  a  greedy  eye  outspied, 
Say  thou  what  was  it — for  there  was  a  thing — 

"  Which  filled  at  last  and  thoroughly  satisfied 

The  eye  that  in  that  hollow  circle  dwelt, 
So  that,  '  Enough,  I  have  enough,'  it  cried." 

— Blank  disappointment  at  the  gift  he  felt, 

And,  hardly  taking,  turned  in  scorn  away; 
Nor  he  the  riddle  of  the  angel  spelt — 

But  cried  unto  his  captains :  "  We  delay. 

And  at  these  portals  lose  our  time  in  vain. 
By  more  than  mortal  terrors  kept  at  bay: 


229  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

"  Come — other  lands  as  goodly  spoils  contain ; 

Come — all  too  long  untouched  the  Indian  gold, 
The  pearls  and  spice  of  Araby  remain ! — 

"  Come,  and  who  will  this  riddle  may  unfold," 

Then  stood  before  him,  careless  of  his  ire, 
An  Indian  sage,  who  rendered  answer  bold : — 

"  Lord  of  the  world,  commanded  to  inquire 

What  was  it  that  could  satisfy  an  eye, 
That  organ  of  man's  measureless  desire — 

"  By  deed  and  word  thou  plainly  dost  reply, 

That  its  desire  can  nothing  tame  or  quell, 
That  it  can  never  know  sufficiency. 

"  While  thou  enlargest  thy  desire  as  hell. 

Filling  thy  hand,  but  filling  not  thy  lust, 
Thou  dost  proclaim  man's  eye  insatiable: 


ALEXANDER  AT  THE  GATES  OF  PARADISE        223 

"  Such  answer  from  thy  Hps  were  only  just. 

Yet  'twas  not  so.     One  came  at  last,  who  threw 
Into  yon  face  an  heap  of  vilest  dust — 

"  Whereof  a  few  small  grains  did  fall  into 
And  filled  the  orb  and  hollow  of  that  eye ; 

When  that  which  suffisance  not  ever  knew 
Before,  was  fain,  '  I  have  enough,'  to  cry." 


334  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

Ube  JSanisbeD  1ktnd9 

A  Talmudic  Allegory 
By  Richard  Chenevix  Trench 

ON  a  fair  ship,  borne  swiftly  o'er  the  deep, 
A  man  was  lying,  wrapt  in  dreamless  sleep : 
When  unawares  upon  a  sunken  rock 
That  vessel  struck,  and  shattered  with  the  shock. 
But  strange !  the  plank  where  lay  the  sleeper  bore 
Him,  wrapt  in  deep  sleep  ever,  to  the  shore: 
It  bore  him  safely  through  the  foam  and  spray. 
High  up  on  land,  where  couched  'mid  flowers  he 

lay. 
Sweet  tones  first  woke  him  from  his  sleep,  when 

round 
His  couch  observant  multitudes  he  found: 
All  hailed  him  then,  and  did  before  him  bow, 
And  with  one  voice  exclaimed, — '  Our  king  art 

thou.' 


THE  BANISHED  KINGS  225 

With  jubilant  applause  they  bore  him  on, 
And  set  him  wondering  on  a  royal  throne: 
And  some  his  limbs  with  royal  robes  arrayed, 
And  some  before  him  duteous  homage  paid, 
And  some  brought  gifts,  all  rare  and  costly  things, 
Nature's  and  Art's  profusest  offerings : 
Around  him  counsellors  and  servants  prest. 
All  eager  to  accomplish  his  behest. 
Wish  unaccomplished  of  his  soul  was  none; 
The  thing  that  he  commanded,  it  was  done. 

Much  he  rejoiced,  and  he  had  well-nigh  now 
Forgotten  whence  he  hither  came,  and  how ; 
Until  at  eve,  of  homage  weary  grown. 
He  craved  a  season  to  be  left  alone. 
Alone  in  hall  magnificent  he  sate. 
And  mused  upon  the  wonder  of  his  fate ; 
When  lo!  an  aged  counsellor,  a  seer, 
Before  unnoticed,  to  the  king  drew  near; 


226  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

— '  And  thee  would  I  too  gratulate,  my  son, 
Who  hast  thy  reign  in  happy  hour  begun : 
Seen  hast  thou  the  beginning, — yet  attend, 
While  I  shall  also  show  to  thee  the  end. 
That  this  new  fortune  do  not  blind  thee  quite, 
Both  sides  regard,  the  darker  with  the  bright: 
Heed  what  so  many  who  have  ruled  before, 
Failing  to  heed,  now  rue  for  evermore. 
Though   sure  thy  state  and  strong  thy   throne 

appear. 
King  only  art  thou  for  a  season  here ; 
A  time  is  fixed,  albeit  unknown  to  thee. 
Which  when  it  comes,  thou  banished  hence  shalt 

be. 
Round  this  fair  spot,  though  hidden  from  the  eye 
By  mist  and  vapor,  many  islands  lie: 
Bare  are  their  coasts,  and  dreary  and  forlorn. 
And  unto  them  the  banished  kings  are  borne ; 
On  each  of  these  an  exiled  king  doth  mourn. 


THE  BANISHED  KINGS  227 

For  when  a  new  king  comes,  they  bear  away 
The  old,  whom  now  no  vassals  more  obey ; 
Stripped  of  his  royalties  and  glories  lent, 
Unhonored  and  untended  he  is  sent 
Unto  his  dreary  island  banishment ; 
While  all  who  girt  his  throne  with  service  true, 
Now  fall  away  from  him,  to  serve  the  new. 
What  I  have  told  thee,  lay  betimes  to  heart. 
And  ere  thy  rule  is  ended,  take  thy  part, 
That  thou  hereafter  on  thine  isle  forlorn 
Do  not  thy  vanished  kingdom  vainly  mourn. 
When  nothing  of  its  pomp  to  thee  remains 
On  that  bare  shore,  save  only  memory's  pains. 

'  Much,  O  my  Prince !    my  words  have  thee  dis- 

trest, 
Thy  head  has  sunk  in  sorrow  on  thy  breast ; 
Yet  idle  sorrow  helps  not — I  will  show 
A  wiser  way,  which  shall  true  help  bestow. 


228  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

This  counsel  take — to  others  given  in  vain, 
While  no  belief  from  them  my  words  might  gain. 
Know  then,  whilst  thou  art  monarch  here,  there 

stand 
Helps  for  the  future  many  at  command; 
Then,  while  thou  canst,  employ  them  to  adorn 
That  island  whither  thou  must  once  be  borne. 
Unbuilt  and  waste  and  barren  now  that  strand. 
There  gush  no  fountains  from  the  thirsty  sand. 
No  groves  of  palm-trees  have  been  planted  there, 
Nor  plants  of  odorous  scent  perfume  that  air ; 
While  all  alike  have  shunned  to  contemplate 
That  they   should   ever  change   their  flattering 

state. 
But  make  thou  there  provision  of  delight, 
Till  that  which  now  so  threatens,  may  invite ; 
Bid  there  thy  servants  build  up  royal  towers. 
And  change  its  barren  sands  to  leafy  bowers ; 
Bid  fountains  there  be  hewn,  and  cause  to  bloom 
Immortal  amaranths,  shedding  rich  perfume. 


THE  BANISHED  KINGS  229 

So  when  the  world,  which  speaks  thee  now  so  fair 
And  flatters  so,  again  shall  strip  thee  bare, 
And  drive  thee  naked  forth  in  harshest  wise, 
Thou  joyfully  wilt  seek  thy  paradise. 
There  will  not  vex  thee  memories  of  the  past. 
While  hope  will  heighten  here  the  joys  thou  hast. 
This  do,  while  yet  the  power  is  in  thine  hand, 
While  thou  hast  helps  so  many  at  command.' 

Then  raised  the  prince  his  head  with  courage 
new, 

And  what  the  sage  advised,  prepared  to  do. 

He  ruled  his  realm  with  meekness,  and  mean- 
while 

He  marvellously  decked  the  chosen  isle ; 

Bade  there  his  servants  build  up  royal  towers, 

And  change  its  barren  sands  to  leafy  bowers ; 

Bade  fountains  there  be  hewn,  and  caused  to 
bloom 

Immortal  amaranths,  shedding  rich  perfume. 


230  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

And  when  he  long  enough  had  kept  his  throne, 
To  him  sweet  odors  from  that  isle  were  blown ; 
Then  knew  he  that  its  gardens  blooming  were, 
And  all  the  yearnings  of  his  soul  were  there. 
Grief  was  it  not  to  him,  but  joy,  when  they 
His  crown  and  sceptre  bade  him  quit  one  day ; 
When  him  his  servants  rudely  did  dismiss, 
'Twas  not  the  sentence  of  his  ended  bliss, 
But  pomp  and  power  he  cheerfully  forsook. 
And  to  his  isle  a  willing  journey  took, 
And  found  diviner  pleasure  on  that  shore, 
Than  all  his  proudest  state  had  known  before. 


THE  LEST  JEWELS  231 

XT  be  Xeut  Jewels 

A  Jewish  Apologue 
By  Richard  Chenevix  Trench 

IN  schools  of  wisdom  all  the  day  was  spent : 
His  steps  at  eve  the  Rabbi  homeward  bent, 
With  homeward  thoughts,  which  dwelt  upon  the 

wife 
And  two  fair  children  who  consoled  his  life. 
She,  meeting  at  the  threshold,  led  him  in. 
And  with  these  words  preventing,  did  begin : 
'  I,  greeting  ever  your  desired  return. 
Yet  greet  it  most  to-day  ;  for  since  this  morn 
I  have  been  much  perplexed  and  sorely  tried 
Upon  one  point,  which  }0u  shall  now  decide. 
Some  years  ago,  a  friend  into  my  care 
Some  jewels  gave,  rich,  precious  gems  they  were  ; 
But  having  given  them  in  my  charge,  this  friend 
Did  afterward  nor  come  for  them,  nor  send, 


232  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 


But  in  my  keeping  suffered  them  so  long, 
That  now  it  ahnost  seems  to  me  a  wrong 
That  he  should  suddenly  arrive  to-day, 
To  take  those  jewels,  which  he  left,  away. 
What  think  you  ?     Shall  I  freely  yield  them  back. 
And  with  no  murmuring?     so  henceforth  to  lack 
Those  gems  myself,  which  I  had  learned  to  see 
Almost  as  mine  for  ever,  mine  in  fee  ?  ' 

'  What  question  can  be  here  ?  your  own  true  heart 

Must  needs  advise  you  of  the  only  part ; 

That  may  be  claimed  again  which  was  but  lent. 

And  should  be  yielded  with  no  discontent ; 

Nor  surely  can  we  find  in  this  a  wrong, 

That  it  was  left  us  to  enjoy  it  long,' 

'  Good  is  the  word,'  she  answered ;  '  may  we  now 

And  evermore  that  it  is  good  allow ! ' 

And,  rising,  to  an  inner  chamber  led, 

And  there  she  showed  him,  stretched  upon  one 

bed, 
Two  children  pale,  and  he  the  jewels  knew. 
Which  God  had  lent  him,  and  resumed  anew. 


I 


THE  FOX  AND  THE  FISH  233 

Ube  f  01  anC)  tbe  ffisb 

By  Hyman  Hurwitz 

(From  Hebrew  Tales) 

T  was  the  lot  of  Rabbi  Akiba  to  live  in  most 
calamitous  times.  Jerusalem  was  in  ruins ;  the 
flower  of  the  nation  had  either  perished  during 
the  war,  or  had  been  carried  in  captivity  to  grace 
the  triumph  of  the  conqueror ;  and  the  miserable 
remnant  that  was  permitted  to  remain  in  their 
once  happy,  but  then  desolated  country,  groaned 
under  the  iron  yoke  of  the  Romans ;  who,  attribut- 
ing the  heroic  resistance  which  the  people  had 
made  to  their  arms,  and  the  obstinacy  with  which 
they  had  defended  their  country  to  the  spirit  of 
their  religion,  wished  totally  to  abolish  it;  and 
with  this  view  forbade  them  its  free  exercise,  and 
the  study  of  the  law.  Akiba  observed  the  deplor- 
able condition  of  his  brethren  ;  and  fearing  lest  the 


234  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

knowledge  of  the  law  should  be  totally  lost,  ven- 
tured, notwithstanding  the  Roman  decrees,  to 
instruct  the  people  in  their  religious  duties,  and 
to  teach  the  law  publicly.  One  day  as  he  was  thus 
laudably  engaged.  Pappus,  the  son  of  Judah,  a 
man  well  known  for  his  learning,  represented  to 
him  the  imprudence  of  thus  acting  contrary  to  the 
Roman  edicts ;  and  said  to  him,  "Akiba,  art  thou 
not  afraid  of  this  nation?"  (alluding  to  the  Ro- 
mans) thus  wishing  to  deter  him  from  so  danger- 
ous an  employment,  by  intimating  that  there  are 
times  when  prudence  requires  us  to  yield  to  cir- 
cumstances. Akiba,  whose  opinion  was,  that  no 
circumstances  whatever  can  justify  an  Israelite  to 
forsake  his  religion,  being  also  persuaded  that  the 
calamities  which  the  nation  then  experienced  were 
to  be  attributed  to  their  iniquities,  and  that  their 
only  chance  of  deliverance  was  in  strictly  adhering 
to  the  laws  of  God,  said  to  him,  "  Pappus,  art 
thou  the  man  of  whom  it  is  said,  he  is  wise? 


THE  FOX  A^'D  THE  FISH  235 

surely,  thy  words  show  that  thou  art  a  fool ;  "  and 
in  order  to  expose  to  his  audience  the  folly  of  that 
policy,  commonly  called  expedience,  which  often 
sacrifices  permanent  good  to  momentary  ad- 
vantages, he  told  them  the  following  fable: 

The  fox,  said  he,  once  took  a  walk  by  the  side 
of  a  river,  and  observed  the  fish  hurrying  to  and 
fro  in  the  greatest  agitation  and  alarm.  Curious 
to  know  the  cause  of  so  much  confusion,  he  ad- 
dressed himself  to  them,  and  said,  "  Friends,  may 
I  be  so  bold  as  to  ask  why  you  are  so  much  agi- 
tated? "  "  We  are  endeavoring,"  replied  the  fish 
"  to  flee  from  our  enemies,  and  avoid  the  many 
nets  and  snares  which  they  have  prepared  for  us." 
"  Oh !  oh  !  "  said  the  cunning  fox,  "  if  that  be  all, 
I  can  tell  you  an  easy  way  how  to  secure  your 
safety.  Come  along  with  me  on  dry  land,  where 
we  may  dwell  together  in  tranquillity,  in  the  same 
manner  as  our  ancestors  did  before  us."  The 
fish,  perceiving  the  treachery  of  their  insidious 


236  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

adviser,  said  to  him,  "  Fox !  fox !  art  thou  he  who 
is  considered  as  the  most  sagacious  of  animals? 
Surely,  thy  counsel  proves  thee  a  very  great  fool. 
If  even  in  our  own  native  element  we  are  beset 
with  so  many  dangers,  what  security  can  we  hope 
to  find  on  an  element  so  repugnant  to  our  nature, 
and  so  contrary  to  our  habits  ?  " 

"  It  is  even  so  with  us,"  continued  the  pious 
Rabbi;  "if,  even  by  partially  following  the  law 
of  which  it  is  said,  '  It  is  thy  life  and  length  of 
days,'  we  experience  so  much  distress  and  oppres- 
sion, what  think  you  will  be  our  lot  should  we 
entirely  abandon  it  ?  " 


THE  SLEEP  OF  RABBI  CHONI  237 

XLbe  Sleep  ot  IRabbi  Cbont 

A  Talmudic  Legend 
By  Emma  Leigh 

WITH  what  art  thou  busying  thyself?" 
asked  Rabbi  Choni  of  an  old  man  plant- 
ing by  the  road-side. 

"  I  am  planting  a  carob-tree,  my  master," 

"  A  carob-tree !  "  echoed  Choni.  "  What  folly 
is  this?  Dost  thou  not  know  that  a  full  genera- 
tion must  pass  ere  this  tree  beareth  fruit  ?  Neither 
thy  lips  nor  those  of  thy  son  will  taste  of  it." 

"  Thou  speakest  truth,  my  master.  Yet  when 
I  think  with  what  pleasure  I  ate  the  fruit  of  my 
grandsire's  toil,  I  would  that  my  son's  sons  have 
like  delight." 

Then  Choni  went  on,  feeling  strangely  rebuked 
by  the  old  man's  words.  Unwonted  fatigue  came 
upon  him. 


238  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 


In  a  shady  nook  he  sought  rest.  Sweet  sleep 
seized  his  tired  hmbs.  Round  about  him  sprang 
up  a  hedge.  It  as  suddenly  disappeared  ere  sleep 
released  her  captive. 

When  the  Rabbi  sat  down  to  rest,  the  sun  was 
declining  toward  his  bed  in  the  sea.  When  the 
Rabbi  awoke,  the  sun  was  mounting  toward  the 
height  of  another  day. 

Conscience-stricken  at  his  sloth,  Choni  started 
homeward.     His  limbs  refused  to  keep  pace  with 
his  desire,  and  he  made  but  little  speed.     When 
he  reached  the  spot  where,  on  the  previous  day, 
he  had  left  the  old  man,  before  him  was  a  leafy 
carob-tree  on  whose  branches  the  pods  seemed 
ready  to  open.     Scarce  believing  his  eyes,  Choni 
turned  to  a  boy  looking  longingly  at  the  fruit. 
"  Whose  hand  planted  this  tree,  my  boy  ?  " 
"  My  grandsire's,  the  day  before  his  death." 
Choni  turned  away  bewildered.  Was  he  dream- 
ing?   In  his  perplexity  the  hand  of  the  Rabbi  in- 


THE  SLEEP  OF  RABBI  CHONI  239 

stinctively  sought  his  beard.  How  long  it  had 
grown  overnight ! 

Dazed  he  wended  his  homeward  way  through 
unfamiHar  paths,  past  strange  faces.  Suddenly  he 
stopped.  Of  a  truth  his  was  a  dream.  This  was 
the  well-known  house  of  his  son  where  he  was 
ever  welcome. 

With  an  almost  light  step  he  entered.  Then  his 
eyes  fell  on  a  young  mother  playing  with  a  babe 
crowing  from  its  father's  arms.  The  faces  were 
not  those  he  had  expected  to  see.  Struck  dumb, 
Choni  paused  on  the  threshold.  Then  finding 
voice,  he  said,  "  I  pray  thee  pardon,  I  mistook 
this  house  for  that  of  Choni's  son." 

"  Choni's  son ! "  exclaimed  the  man  of  the 
house.  "  Dost  thou  not  know  that  my  father,  on 
whom  be  peace,  is  dead  these  ten  years?  " 

"  Thy  father  dead !  " 

Seeing  the  stricken  face  of  his  visitor,  the 
younger  man  asked  compassionately,  "  Art  thou 


240  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

my  father's  friend?  An  it  be  so,  then  thou  art 
indeed  welcome." 

Passing  a  hand  over  his  puzzled  brow,  "  I — I 
am  thy  father's — I  am — I  am  Choni,"  he  stam- 
mered in  a  voice  but  half  heard. 

"Choni!  Dost  mean  Rabbi  Choni?  Full  sev- 
enty years  have  passed  over  his  grave." 

"  His  grave !    Where  lies  it  ?  " 

Filled  with  pity  for  the  white  face  before  him, 
Choni's  grandson  said,  "  Seventy  years  ago  to-day 
my  honored  grandsire  took  his  wonted  walk 
through  the  country.  So  used  was  he  to  stay 
unmindful  of  the  time,  lost  in  pious  musings,  that 
his  absence  caused  no  anxiety.  When  a  full  three 
days  had  passed,  people  began  to  have  misgiv- 
ings, and  his  son  and  pupils  went  in  search  of 
him.  No  trace  rewarded  their  eyes.  The  un- 
welcome thought  forced  itself  upon  them  that  he 
had  fallen  a  prey  to  wild  beasts." 

"  Choni  is  not  dead.    I,  I  am  Choni.    Choni  is 


THE  SLEEP  OF  RABBI  CHONI  241 

not  dead,"  sobbed  the  Rabbi,  and  he  staggered 
toward  the  speaker. 

Quickly  giving  his  precious  burden  to  his  wife, 
the  young  man  caught  the  falHng  form,  and 
gently  led  Choni  into  an  adjoining  room. 

That  some  grief  had  affected  the  stranger's 
mind,  he  did  not  doubt.  That  it  was  his  duty  to 
care  for  the  old  man,  he  well  knew.  He  did  not 
shirk.  So  Choni  lived  a  stranger,  kindly  tended, 
at  his  grandson's  hearth. 

His  heart  was  heavy,  and  his  strength  waned 
day  by  day,  till  at  last  God  heard  Choni's  prayer, 
and  sent  him  everlasting  sleep. 


242  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 


XTbrouob  Bareness 

By  Richard  Henry  Stoddard 

ONE  night  the  Angel  Gabriel, 
Seated  in  Paradise  apart, 
Heard  the  low  loving  Voice  of  God 
In  answer  to  a  human  heart. 

Eminent  must  this  servant  be, 
Who  to  the  Most  High  is  so  nigh ; 

Whose  spirit,  dead  to  lust  below, 
Already  is  with  Him  on  high." 

He  hastened  over  land  and  sea 

To  find  this  man — he  went  like  light ; 

But  found  him  not,  in  earth  or  heaven, 
Through  all  the  watches  of  the  night. 


THROUGH  DARKNESS  243 

"  O  Lord,  direct  me  to  this  man, 

That  is  so  near  and  dear  to  Thee." 

"  The  man  thou  speakest  of,  Gabriel, 
Thou  shalt  in  yon  pagoda  see." 

Straightway  to  the  pagoda  sped 

The  Instructed  One,  and,  looking  there. 

Beheld  before  an  idol  grim 
A  solitary  man  in  prayer. 

"  Canst  thou  regard  this  man,  O  Lord, 
Who  to  an  idol  prays,  not  Thee  ?  " 

"  I  have  forgot  his  ignorance. 

Since  he  through  darkness  hath  found  Ale." 


244  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

Ube  IDision  of  IRabbi  IRatban 

By  Frederick  Lakgbridge 

THE  creeping  incense  misted  all  the  air 
With  spices,  and  the  people  bowed  in  prayer. 
The  Rabbi  Nathan,  kneeling  in  his  place 
(A  prison 'd  angel  looked  out  of  his  face), 
As  the  slow  shaken  waves  did  lap  and  roll, 
Felt  a  deep  drowse  fall  muffling  all  his  soul. 
Thicker  above  him  did  its  circles  draw. 
Until  his  spirit  (for  he  slept  not)  saw 
As  one  that  stands  upon  the  ocean  bed 
Sees  thro'  the  glimmering  greenness  overhead 
Wash'd  weeds  that  fall  and  flicker  on  the  eye, 
And  floating  rocks  and  a  faint  wavering  sky. 
Then  did  the  dimness  furl  away  and  pass 
And  his  clear  spirit  was  as  burning  brass. 
And  that  invisible  world  that  everywhere 
Is  poured  around  us  like  a  finer  air 


THE  VISION  OF  RABBI  NATHAN  245 

Threw  on  its  lucent  face  reflections  true, 
And  to  this  shape  the  Rabbi's  vision  grew. 
The  time  and  place  were  such  as  they  had  been, 
Nor  any  change  had  touched  the  very  scene. 
'Neath  the  white  clouds  of  incense,  slowly  borne. 
The  congregation  bow'd  like  rain-laid  corn. 
But  lo!  before  the  Rabbi's  purged  eyes 
Their  prayers  as  breath  in  frosty  air  did  rise ; 
Or  as  the  soul  from  lips  death  leaves  agape 
Slips  lightly  forth,  a  moted  fluctuant  shape. 
Yea,  and  the  air  did  vibrate,  flash,  and  sing, 
As  when  a  snow  of  sea-birds,  wing  on  wing. 
Doth  rise,  and  sweep,  and  blot  the  sun  awhile. 
From  some  gray,  desolate,  wave-wasted  isle. 
Past  palmy  pillar  and  thro'  massy  beam. 
They  soared  and  floated  lightly  as  a  dream. 
But  when  they  met  the  blue  sky's  arched  spring. 
Even  as  a  dove  that  drops  with  broken  wing, 
Lo,  prayer  on  prayer  did  roll  and  shoot  and  fall, 
Heaven's  gate  just  touch'd,  but  enter'd  not  at  all. 


246  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

And  Nathan  gazing  to  this  truth  did  win — 
They  might  not  pass  because  of  fleshly  sin 
That  clung  and  weigh'd  them  down. 

Some  prayers  again 
Up  to  the  cedarn  roof  did  scarce  attain, 
Then,  beaten  back,  in  wandering  wreaths  they 

went, 
Creeping  away  as  each  might  find  a  vent. 
And  of  these  thwarted  prayers  the  greater  part 
Rose  from  a  cumber'd,  lucre-loving  heart. 
Yea,  and  some  prayers  drave  back  on  them  that 

spoke, 
Blinding  the  eyes  with  bitter  poisonous  smoke, 
Clogging  the  throat,  and  breeding  sores  within. 
And  Nathan  knew  the  fierce  and  festering  sin 
That  made  these  prayers  to  rankle  in  the  soul, 
A  spreading  foulness,  not  a  making  whole, 
Was  some  old  hatred,  deep  and  black  and  fell. 
Housed  in  the  heart,  and  loved  and  tended  well. 


THE  VISION  OF  RABBI  NATHAN  247 

Yet,  here  and  there,  behold  a  prayer  arose 
And  pierced  the  sky,  and  caught  soft  sun-shot 

glows, 
And,  melting,  broke  in  drops  of  healing  dew ; 
And  now  from  out  the  heart  of  Heaven  there 

drew 
An  arm,  a  glory,  great  and  very  bright, 
That  flash'd  as  some  swift  star  that  cleaves  the 

night. 
And  in  a  golden  vial  quaintly  wrought 
The  dropping  nardy  dews  this  great  arm  caught. 
Then,  where  the  very  Heavens  shrank  away, 
From  the  dread  splendor  quick  with  fiery  spray, 
The  burning  void  that  God's  own  feet  had  made, 
The  arm  stretch'd  forth,  and  lo !  the  prayers  were 

laid. 

Then  Nathan  fell  and  lay  upon  his  face, 
And  spake  not,  thought  not,  stirr'd  not  from  his 

place, 
But  let  his  soul  flow  out  upon  the  air 
In  ecstasy  too  deep  for  praise  or  prayer. 


248  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

XTbe  Bmperor  anb  tbe  IRabbt 

By  George  Croly 

«'/^^LD  Rabbi,  what  tales  dost  thou  pour  in 
V^      mine  ear, 

What  visions  of  glory,  what  phantoms  of  fear, 
Of  a  God,  all  the  gods  of  the  Roman  above, 
A  mightier  than  Mars,  a  more  ancient  than  Jove  ? 

"  Let  me  see  bat  His  splendors,  I  then  shall  be- 
lieve. 
'Tis  the  senses  alone  that  can  never  deceive. 
But  show  me  your  Idol,  if  earth  be  His  shrine, 
And  your  Israelite  God  shall,  old  dreamer,  be 
mme ! 

It  was  Trajan  that  spoke,  and  the  stoical  sneer 
Still  played  on  his  features  sublime  and  severe, 
For,  round  the  wild  world  that  stooped  to  his 

throne. 
He  knew  but  one  god,  and  himself  was  that  one ! 


THE  EMPEROR   AND    THE   RABBI  249 

"The  God  of  our  forefathers,"  low  bowed  the 

Seer, 
"  Is  unseen  by  the  eye,  is  unheard  by  the  ear ; 
He  is  Spirit,  and  knows  not  the  body's  dark 

chain ; 
Immortal  His  nature,  eternal  His  reign. 

"  He  is  seen  in  His  power,  when  the  storm  is 

abroad ; 
In  His  justice,  when  guilt  by  His  thunders  is 

awed; 
In  His  mercy,  when  mountain  and  valley  and 

plain 
Rejoice  in  His  sunshine,  and  smile  in  His  rain." 

"  Those  are  dreams,"  said  the  monarch,  "  wild 

fancies  of  old ; 

But  what  God  can  I  worship,  when  none  I  be- 
hold? 

Can  I  kneel  to  the  lightning,  or  bow  to  the 

wind? 


250  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

Can  I  worship  the  shape,  that  but  lives  in  the 
mind?" 
"  I  shall  show  thee  the  herald  He  sends  from  His 
throne." 

Through  the  halls  of  the  palace  the  Rabbi  led  on, 

Till  above  them  was  spread  but  the  sky's  sap- 
phire dome, 

And,  like  surges  of  splendor,  beneath  them  lay 
Rome. 

And  towering  o'er  all,  in  the  glow  of  the  hour, 
The  Capitol  shone,  earth's  high  centre  of  power : 
A  thousand  years  glorious,  yet  still  in  its  prime ; 
A  thousand  years  more,  to  be  conquered  of 
Time. 

But  the  West  was  now  purple,  the  eve  was  be- 
gun; 
Like  a  monarch  at  rest,  on  the  hills  lay  the  sun ; 
Above  him  the  clouds  their  rich  canop}'^  rolled, 
With  pillars  of  diamond,  and  curtains  of  gold. 


THE   EMPEROR   AND    THE   RABBI  251 

The  Rabbi's  proud  gesture  was  turned  to  the 
orb: 
"  O  King !  let  that  glory  thy  worship  absorb !  " 
"  What !    worship  that  sun,  and  be  blind  by  the 
gaze? 
No  eve  but  the  eagle's  could  look  on  that  blaze." 

"  Ho!  Emperor  of  earth,  if  it  dazzles  thine  eye 
To  look  on  that  orb,  as  it  sinks  from  the  sky," 
Cried  the  Rabbi,  "  what  mortal  could  dare  but 

to  see 
The  Sovereign  of  him,  and  the  Sovereign  of 

thee !  " 


252  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

Ube  ifout  /liMstortunes 

A  Hebrew  Tale 
By  John  Godfrey  Saxe 

A  PIOUS  Rabbi,  forced  by  heathen  hate 
To  quit  the  boundaries  of  his  native  land, 
Wandered  abroad,  submissive  to  his  fate, 

Through  pathless  woods  and  wastes  of  burning 
sand. 

A  patient  ass,  to  bear  him  in  his  flight, 

A  dog,  to  guard  him  from  the  robber's  stealth, 

A  lamp,  by  which  to  read  the  law  at  night, — 
Was  all  the  pilgrim's  store  of  worldly  wealth. 

At  set  of  sun  he  reached  a  little  town, 

And  asked  for  shelter  and  a  crumb  of  food ; 

But  every  face  repelled  him  with  a  frown, 
And  so  he  sought  a  lodging  in  the  wood. 


THE  FOUR  MISFORTUNES  253 

"  'Tis  very  hard,"  the  weary  traveller  said, 
"  And  most  inhospitable,  I  protest, 

To  send  me  fasting  to  this  forest  bed; 

But  God  is  good,  and  means  it  for  the  best!  " 

He  lit  his  lamp  to  read  the  sacred  law, 
Before  he  spread  his  mantle  for  the  night ; 

But  the  wind  rising  with  a  sudden  flaw, 
He  read  no  more, — the  gust  put  out  the  light. 

"  'Tis  strange,"  he  said,  "  'tis  very  strange,  indeed. 
That  ere  I  lay  me  down  to  take  my  rest, 

A  chapter  of  the  law  I  may  not  read, — 
But  God  is  good,  and  all  is  for  the  best." 

With  these  consoling  words  the  Rabbi  tries 
To  sleep, — his  head  reposing  on  a  log, — 

But,  ere  he  fairly  shut  his  drowsy  eyes, 

A  wolf  came  up  and  killed  his  faithful  dog. 


254  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

"  What  new  calamity  is  this  ?  "  he  cried ; 

"  My  honest  dog — a  friend  who  stood  the  test 
When  others  failed — lies  murdered  at  my  side ! 

Well, — God   is   good,   and   means   it   for   the 
best!" 

Scarce  had  the  Rabbi  spoken,  when,  alas ! — 
As  if  at  once  to  crown  his  wretched  lot, 

A  hungry  lion  pounced  upon  the  ass, 

And  killed  the  faithful  donkey  on  the  spot. 

"  Alas ! — alas  1  "  the  weeping  Rabbi  said, 

"  Misfortune  haunts  me  like  a  hateful  guest; 

My  dog  is  gone,  and  now  my  ass  is  dead, — 
Well, — God  is  good,  and  all  is  for  the  best !  " 

At  dawn  of  day,  imploring  heavenly  grace, 
Once  more  he  sought  the  town ;  but  all  in  vain ; 

A  band  of  robbers  had  despoiled  the  place, 
And  all  the  churlish  citizens  were  slain ! 


THE  FOUR  MISFORTUNES  255 

"  Now  God  be  praised  !  "  the  grateful  Rabbi  cried, 
"  If  I  had  tarried  in  the  town  to  rest, 

I,  too,  with  these  poor  villagers  had  died, — 
Sure,  God  is  good,  and  all  is  for  the  best ! 

"  Had  not  the  saucy  wind  put  out  my  lamp. 
By  which  the  sacred  law  I  would  have  read. 

The  light  had  shown  the  robbers  to  my  camp, 
And  here  the  villains  would  have  left  me  dead ! 

"  Plad  not  my  faithful  animals  been  slain, 

Their  noise,  no  doubt,  had  drawn  the  robbers 
near. 

And  so  their  master,  it  is  very  plain, 

Instead  of  them,  had  fallen  murdered  here! 

"  Full  well  I  see  that  this  hath  happened  so 
To  put  my  faith  and  patience  to  the  test ; 

Thanks  to  His  name !  for  now  I  surely  know 
That  God  is  good,  and  all  is  for  tlie  best!  " 


2S6  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 


IRabbi  llsbmael 

By  John  Greenleaf  Whittier 

THE  Rabbi  Ishmael,  with  the  woe  and  sin 
Of  the  world  heavy  upon  him,  entering  in 
The  Holy  of  Holies,  saw  an  awful  Face 
With  terrible  splendor  filling  all  the  place. 
"  O  Ishmael  ben  Elisha !  "  said  a  voice, 
"What    seekest    thou?    What    blessing    is    thy 

choice  ?  " 
And,  knowing  that  he  stood  before  the  Lord, 
Within  the  shadow  of  the  cherubim, 
Wide-winged  between  the  blinding  light  and  him, 
He  bowed  himself,  and  uttered  not  a  word. 
But  in  the  silence  of  his  soul  was  prayer : 
"  O  Thou  Eternal !  I  am  one  of  all, 
And  nothing  ask  that  others  may  not  share. 
Thou  art  Almighty ;  we  are  weak  and  small, 
And  yet  Thy  children :  let  Thy  mercy  spare !  " 


RABBI  ISHMAEL  2^7 


Trembling,  he  raised  his  eyes,  and  in  the  place 

Of  the  insufferable  glory,  lo !  a  face 

Of  more  than  mortal  tenderness,  that  bent 

Graciously  down  in  token  of  assent, 

And,  smiling,  vanished !  With  strange  joy  elate, 

The  wondering  Rabbi  sought  the  Temple's  gate, 

Radiant  as  Moses  from  the  Mount  he  stood 

And  cried  aloud  unto  the  multitude: 

"  O  Israel,  hear !  The  Lord  our  God  is  good ! 
Mine  eyes  have  seen  His  glory  and  His  grace ; 
Beyond  His  judgments  shall  His  love  endure ; 
The  mercy  of  the  All-Merciful  is  sure ! 


258  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 


A   Rabbinical  Tale 
By  John  Godfrey  Saxe 

GOOD  Rabbi  Nathan  had  rejoiced  to  spend 
A  sociaf  se'nnight  with  his  ancient  friend, 
The  Rabbi  Isaac.     In  devout  accord 
They  read  the  Sacred  Books,  and  praised  the  Lord 
For  all  His  mercies  unto  them  and  theirs ; 
Until,  one  day,  remembering  some  affairs 
That  asked  his  instant  presence,  Nathan  said, 
"  Too  long,  my  friend  (so  close  my  soul  is  wed 
To  thy  soul),  has  the  silent  lapse  of  days 
Kept  me  thy  guest;  although  with  prayer  and 

praise 
The  hours  were  fragrant.     Now   the  time  has 

come 
When,  all-reluctant,  I  must  hasten  home 


THE  TWO  FRIENDS  259 

To  Other  duties  than  the  dear  delights 
To  which  thy  gracious  friendship  still  invites." 
"  Well,  be  it  so,  if  so  it  needs  must  be," 
The  host  made  answer ;  "  be  it  far  from  me 
To  hinder  thee  in  aught  that  Duty  lays 
Upon  thy  pious  conscience.     Go  thy  ways. 
And  take  my  blessing ! — but,  O  friend  of  mine. 
In  His  name  whom  thou  servest,  give  me  thine !  " 
"  Already,"  Nathan  answered,  "  had  I  sought 
Some  fitting  words  to  bless  thee ;  and  I  thought 
About  the  palm-tree,  giving  fruit  and  shade ; 
And  in  my  grateful  heart,  O  friend,  I  prayed 
That  Heaven  be  pleased  to  make  thee  even  so ! 
O  idle  benediction ! — Well  I  know 
Thou  lackest  nothing  of  all  perfect  fruit 
Of  generous  souls,  or  pious  deeds  that  suit 
With  pious  worship.     Well  I  know  thine  alms 
In  hospitable  shade  exceed  the  palm's ; 
And,  for  rich  fruitage,  can  that  noble  tree, 
With  all  her  opulence,  compare  with  thee  ? 


26o  LEGENDS  AND  TALES 

Since,  then,  O  friend,  I  cannot  wish  thee  more, 
In  thine  own  person,  than  thy  present  store 
Of  Heaven's  best  bounty,  I  will  even  pray 
That,  as  the  palm-tree,  though  it  pass  away, 
By  others,  of  its  seed,  is  still  replaced. 
So  thine  own  stock  may  evermore  be  graced 
With  happy  sons  and  daughters,  who  shall  be. 
In  wisdom,  strength,  and  goodness,  like  to  thee !  " 


THE    FRIEDF.NWALD    COMPANY 
BALTIMORE,   MD.,  U.  S.  A. 


THE  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARY 


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